Delivery, use and therapeutic applications of the crispr-cas systems and compositions for targeting disorders and diseases using viral components

ABSTRACT

The invention provides for delivery, engineering and optimization of systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are delivery systems and tissues or organ which are targeted as sites for delivery. Also provided are vectors and vector systems some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells to ensure enhanced specificity for target recognition and avoidance of toxicity and to edit or modify a target site in a genomic locus of interest to alter or improve the status of a disease or a condition.

RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/970,967, filed Dec. 16, 2015, which is a Continuation-in-Part of International Application Number PCT/US2014/041809, filed on Jun. 11, 2014, which published as PCT Publication Number WO 2014/204729 on Dec. 24, 2014. Priority is claimed from U.S. provisional patent applications 61/836,123, filed Jun. 17, 2013, 61/847,537, filed Jul. 17, 2013, 61/862,355, filed Aug. 5, 2013, 61/871,301, filed Aug. 28, 2013, 61/915,225, filed on Dec. 12, 2013, and 61/979,879, filed on Apr. 15, 2014.

The foregoing applications, and all documents cited therein or during their prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, and all documents cited or referenced herein (“herein cited documents”), and all documents cited or referenced in herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer's instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. More specifically, all referenced documents are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT AS TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support under grant no. MH100706 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Sep. 8, 2014, is named 44790022058_SL.txt and is 251,237 bytes in size.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the delivery, engineering, optimization and therapeutic applications of systems, methods, and compositions used for the control of gene expression involving sequence targeting, such as genome perturbation or gene-editing, that relate to Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and components thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to aspects related to viral vector delivery, gene therapy by viral vector delivery, and understanding gene function and the creation of models via viral vector delivery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent advances in genome sequencing techniques and analysis methods have significantly accelerated the ability to catalog and map genetic factors associated with a diverse range of biological functions and diseases. Precise genome targeting technologies are needed to enable systematic reverse engineering of causal genetic variations by allowing selective perturbation of individual genetic elements, as well as to advance synthetic biology, biotechnological, and medical applications. Although genome-editing techniques such as designer zinc fingers, transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs), or homing meganucleases are available for producing targeted genome perturbations, there remains a need for new genome engineering technologies that are affordable, easy to set up, scalable, and amenable to targeting multiple positions within the eukaryotic genome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention involves the development and application of the CRISPR/Cas9 system as a tool for sequence targeting, such as genome perturbation or gene-editing of genes or genomes to address diseases and disorders using viral components.

The CRISPR-Cas system does not require the generation of customized proteins to target specific sequences but rather a single Cas enzyme can be programmed by a short RNA molecule to recognize a specific DNA target. Adding the CRISPR-Cas system to the repertoire of genome sequencing techniques and analysis methods may significantly simplify the methodology and accelerate the ability to catalog and map genetic factors associated with a diverse range of biological functions and diseases. To utilize the CRISPR-Cas system effectively for genome editing without deleterious effects, it is critical to understand aspects of engineering, optimization and cell-type/tissue/organ specific delivery of these genome engineering tools, which are aspects of the claimed invention.

There exists a pressing need for alternative and robust systems and techniques for nucleic sequence targeting with a wide array of applications. Aspects of this invention address this need and provide related advantages. An exemplary CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within the target polynucleotide. The guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence, which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying an organism or a non-human organism by manipulation of a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest which may comprise

delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition which may comprise a viral vector system which may comprise one or more viral vectors operably encoding a composition for expression thereof, wherein the composition may comprise: (A) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition which may comprise a vector system which may comprise one or more vectors which may comprise I. a first regulatory element operably linked to a CRISPR-Cas system RNA polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence may comprise (A) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, (b) a tracr mate sequence, and (c) a tracr sequence, and II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, which optionally may comprise at least one or more nuclear localization sequences, wherein (A), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequenceor (B) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition which may comprise a vector system which may comprise one or more vectors which may comprise I. a first regulatory element operably linked to (A) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences, II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and III. a third regulatory element operably linked to a tracr sequence, wherein components I, II and III are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence.

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for using one or more elements of a CRISPR-Cas system. The CRISPR complex of the invention provides an effective means for modifying a target polynucleotide. The CRISPR complex of the invention has a wide variety of utilities including modifying (e.g., deleting, inserting, translocating, inactivating, activating) a target polynucleotide in a multiplicity of cell types in various tissues and organs. As such the CRISPR complex of the invention has a broad spectrum of applications in, e.g., gene or genome editing, gene therapy, drug discovery, drug screening, disease diagnosis, and prognosis. In vivo, in vitro and ex vivo uses are envisaged.

Aspects of the invention relate to Cas9 enzymes having improved targeting specificity in a CRISPR-Cas9 system having guide RNAs having optimal activity, smaller in length than wild-type Cas9 enzymes and nucleic acid molecules coding therefor, and chimeric Cas9 enzymes, as well as methods of improving the target specificity of a Cas9 enzyme or of designing a CRISPR-Cas9 system which may comprise designing or preparing guide RNAs having optimal activity and/or selecting or preparing a Cas9 enzyme having a smaller size or length than wild-type Cas9 whereby packaging a nucleic acid coding therefor into a delivery vector is more advanced as there is less coding therefor in the delivery vector than for wild-type Cas9, and/or generating chimeric Cas9 enzymes.

Also provided are uses of the present sequences, vectors, enzymes or systems, in medicine. Also provided are uses of the same in gene or genome editing. This is in relation to post-mitotic cell tissues or cells, whether in or ex vivo.

In an additional aspect of the invention, a Cas9 enzyme may comprise one or more mutations and may be used as a generic DNA binding protein with or without fusion to a functional domain. The mutations may be artificially introduced mutations or gain- or loss-of-function mutations. The mutations may include but are not limited to mutations in one of the catalytic domains (D10 and H840) in the RuvC and HNH catalytic domains, respectively. Further mutations have been characterized. In one aspect of the invention, the transcriptional activation domain may be VP64. In other aspects of the invention, the transcriptional repressor domain may be KRAB or SID4X. Other aspects of the invention relate to the mutated Cas 9 enzyme being fused to domains which include but are not limited to a transcriptional activator, repressor, a recombinase, a transposase, a histone remodeler, a demethylase, a DNA methyltransferase, a cryptochrome, a light inducible/controllable domain or a chemically inducible/controllable domain.

In a further embodiment, the invention provides for methods to generate mutant tracrRNA and direct repeat sequences or mutant chimeric guide sequences that allow for enhancing performance of these RNAs in cells. Aspects of the invention also provide for selection of said sequences.

Aspects of the invention also provide for methods of simplifying the cloning and delivery of components of the CRISPR complex. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a suitable promoter, such as the U6 promoter, is amplified with a DNA oligo and added onto the guide RNA. The resulting PCR product can then be transfected into cells to drive expression of the guide RNA. Aspects of the invention also relate to the guide RNA being transcribed in vitro or ordered from a synthesis company and directly transfected.

In one aspect, the invention provides for methods to improve activity by using a more active polymerase. In a preferred embodiment, the expression of guide RNAs under the control of the T7 promoter is driven by the expression of the T7 polymerase in the cell. In an advantageous embodiment, the cell is a eukaryotic cell. In a preferred embodiment the eukaryotic cell is a human cell. In a more preferred embodiment the human cell is a patient specific cell.

In one aspect, the invention provides for methods of reducing the toxicity of Cas enzymes. In certain aspects, the Cas enzyme is any Cas9 as described herein, for instance any naturally-occurring bacterial Cas9 as well as any chimaeras, mutants, homologs or orthologs. In a preferred embodiment, the Cas9 is delivered into the cell in the form of mRNA. This allows for the transient expression of the enzyme thereby reducing toxicity. In another preferred embodiment, the invention also provides for methods of expressing Cas9 under the control of an inducible promoter, and the constructs used therein.

In another aspect, the invention provides for methods of improving the in vivo applications of the CRISPR-Cas system. In the preferred embodiment, the Cas enzyme is wildtype Cas9 or any of the modified versions described herein, including any naturally-occurring bacterial Cas9 as well as any chimaeras, mutants, homologs or orthologs. An advantageous aspect of the invention provides for the selection of Cas9 homologs that are easily packaged into viral vectors for delivery. Cas9 orthologs typically share the general organization of 3-4 RuvC domains and a HNH domain. The 5′ most RuvC domain cleaves the non-complementary strand, and the HNH domain cleaves the complementary strand. All notations are in reference to the guide sequence.

The catalytic residue in the 5′ RuvC domain is identified through homology comparison of the Cas9 of interest with other Cas9 orthologs (from S. pyogenes type II CRISPR locus, S. thermophilus CRISPR locus 1, S. thermophilus CRISPR locus 3, and Franciscilla novicida type II CRISPR locus), and the conserved Asp residue (D10) is mutated to alanine to convert Cas9 into a complementary-strand nicking enzyme. Similarly, the conserved His and Asn residues in the HNH domains are mutated to Alanine to convert Cas9 into a non-complementary-strand nicking enzyme. In some embodiments, both sets of mutations may be made, to convert Cas9 into a non-cutting enzyme.

In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme is a type I or III CRISPR enzyme, preferably a type II CRISPR enzyme. This type II CRISPR enzyme may be any Cas enzyme. A preferred Cas enzyme may be identified as Cas9 as this can refer to the general class of enzymes that share homology to the biggest nuclease with multiple nuclease domains from the type II CRISPR system. Most preferably, the Cas9 enzyme is from, or is derived from, spCas9 or saCas9. By derived, Applicants mean that the derived enzyme is largely based, in the sense of having a high degree of sequence homology with, a wildtype enzyme, but that it has been mutated (modified) in some way as described herein.

It will be appreciated that the terms Cas and CRISPR enzyme are generally used herein interchangeably, unless otherwise apparent. As mentioned above, many of the residue numberings used herein refer to the Cas9 enzyme from the type II CRISPR locus in Streptococcus pyogenes. However, it will be appreciated that this invention includes many more Cas9s from other species of microbes, such as SpCas9, SaCas9, StlCas9 and so forth. Further examples are provided herein. The skilled person will be able to determine appropriate corresponding residues in Cas9 enzymes other than SpCas9 by comparison of the relevant amino acid sequences. Thus, where a specific amino acid replacement is referred to using the SpCas9 numbering, then, unless the context makes it apparent this is not intended to refer to other Cas9 enzymes, the disclosure is intended to encompass corresponding modifications in other Cas9 enzymes. SpCas or SaCas9 are particularly preferred Cas9 enzymes.

An example of a codon optimized sequence, in this instance optimized for humans (i.e. being optimized for expression in humans) is provided herein, see the SaCas9 human codon optimized sequence. Whilst this is preferred, it will be appreciated that other examples are possible and codon optimization for a host species is known.

In further embodiments, the invention provides for methods of enhancing the function of Cas9 by generating chimeric Cas9 proteins. Chimeric Cas9 proteins chimeric Cas9s may be new Cas9 containing fragments from more than one naturally occurring Cas9. These methods may comprise fusing N-terminal fragments of one Cas9 homolog with C-terminal fragments of another Cas9 homolog. These methods also allow for the selection of new properties displayed by the chimeric Cas9 proteins.

It will be appreciated that in the present methods, where the organism is an animal or a plant, the modification may occur ex vivo or in vitro, for instance in a cell culture and in some instances not in vivo. In other embodiments, it may occur in vivo.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying an organism or a non-human organism by manipulation of a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest comprising: delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising:

A)—I. a CRISPR-Cas system RNA polynucleotide sequence, optionally a chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence may comprise: (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, (b) a tracr mate sequence, and (c) a tracr sequence, and II. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at least one or more nuclear localization sequences, wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence and the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is DNA or RNA, or (B) I. polynucleotides which may comprise: (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences, II. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and III. a polynucleotide sequence which may comprise a tracr sequence, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, and the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is DNA or RNA.

In some embodiments, applicable to any or all of the aspects provided herein, the second alternative above (B) is preferred. The first alternative (A) is particularly preferred, however. This applies to all aspects of the invention featuring the two alternative CRISPR approaches.

It will be appreciated that the present application is directed to viral vector delivery, whether that is to an organ per se or a tissue within it or simply one or more target cells. Target cells are those selected for delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system. For example, in the case of delivery to liver, such target cells may be hepatocytes, preferably primary hepatocytes. The target cells may be comprised within a vertebrate animal, either a patient (in the sense of an animal in need of CRISPR-directed gene therapy) or a model organism, or may be in cell culture, an organoid or other ex vivo tissue, such a “liver on a chip” for instance where hepatocytes are seeded and grown on a scaffold. Harvested hepatocytes from un-transplanted organs are also a useful target cell. With the development of 3-D printing techniques being applied to biology, printed tissues are within grasp and it is entirely feasible that liver cells or tissues printed in this way to create an organoid or onto a chip could also be targeted. The discussion herein of hepatocytes may be applied equally to other liver cells and indeed to other cell types in general, such as brain or kidney cells, examples of which are provide herein.

Thus, provided is a model organism which may comprise liver cells, such as hepatocytes, to which the present CRISPR-Cas system has been delivered. Similarly, also provided is an ex vivo collection of two or more liver cells, such as hepatocytes, to which the present CRISPR-Cas system has been delivered. Such collections may include liver organs, liver organoids, liver cells populating a scaffold (‘liver on a chip’). Again, of course, non-liver alternatives such a bran or kidney are envisaged, as although liver is preferred, it is provided here as an example. Methods of creating such models or collections are also provided.

In particular, such target cells may express, or comprise polynucleotides capable of expressing, a Cas enzyme. As discussed herein, this has the advantage of providing a ready model for interrogating gene function through gene perturbation, including knock down. This is particularly useful in studying conditions of the liver, such as amyloidosis and others listed herein, as well as broader conditions such as obesity.

Methods of interrogating liver gene function are also provided herein. These typically comprise delivering to target cells, either in or ex vivo, the CRISPR-Cas system. However, if the cells already comprise Cas, whether expressed as a protein or encoded by polynucleotides already comprised within the cells, then only the CRISPR polynucleotide needs to be delivered. The method may include extraction from and, optionally, re-insertion back into the target tissue, organ, organoid, chip or cell collection as discussed herein. By delivering, it is meant actually physical delivery of the polynucleotides to the nucleus of the cell, but also transfection.

Methods of gene therapy are also envisaged. For instance, correction of one or more deficient genotypes (for example single point mutations) is achievable through the use of the present CRISPR-Cas system in the liver cells discussed herein (including the models). Monogenic conditions associated with the liver are particularly preferred and are exemplified herein, see Example 38 where the CRISPR-Cas9 system target was ApoB, a lipid metabolism gene, was effective at inducing a phenotypic change in vivo. Compositions for use in gene therapy are also provided.

Conditions for study and gene therapy are numerous and varied due to the broad application of CRIPS-Cas technology. Suitable examples are provide herein, including in Tables A, B and C. Any of these may be selected and each are preferred. A few particularly preferred, but non-limiting, examples are the conditions specifically exemplified herein as well as any monogenic condition, and particularly Cystic Fibrosis (CFTR).

Although various Cas enzymes are envisaged, Cas9 is particularly preferred and Applicants have shown particular efficacy in the liver for SaCa9. Tracr sequence from Sa is also preferred if the Cas enzyme is an Sa Cas enzyme. A suitable PAM in such circumstance is NNGRR.

Although one guide may be used, so-called multiplexing with two, three, four or more guides, is particularly useful in interrogation of gene function and model creation (to provide multiple gene knock downs), but also in gene therapy where multiple defective genotypes are to be corrected (either multiple errors in a single gene or, more likely, multiple errors spread across several genes). Alternatively, multiplexing with two guides is useful in a dual nickase approach to reduce off-target effects or simply selection of multiple targets within one gene to ensure Cas recruitment. Triple and quadruple guides are preferred. Reference to gene herein is made interchangeably with genomic locus.

The intron approach described here is also useful in this regard, where the guide is positioned within the Cas intron.

Preferred means of delivery include the methods described by Kanasty below, such as LNP, especially where only the guide is to be delivered or it is to be delivered alone. However, viral vectors including lentiviral and AAV are generally preferred. In particular, they are preferred for delivery to the liver as they have been successful to date. Of these, AAV is preferred and especially serotype 8, with AAV2/8 shown to be effective.

Some preferred target condition and genes, to the extent that they are present in or conditions of the liver or kidney are metabolic disorders, such as any one of: Amyloid neuropathy (TTR, PALB); Amyloidosis (APOA1, APP, AAA, CVAP, AD1, GSN, FGA, LYZ, TTR, PALB); Cirrhosis (KRT18, KRT8, CIRH1A, NAIC, TEX292, KIAA1988); Cystic fibrosis (CFTR, ABCC7, CF, MRP7); Glycogen storage diseases (SLC2A2, GLUT2, G6PC, G6PT, G6PT1, GAA, LAMP2, LAMPB, AGL, GDE, GBE1, GYS2, PYGL, PFKM); Hepatic adenoma, 142330 (TCF1, HNF1A, MODY3), Hepatic failure, early onset, and neurologic disorder (SCOD1, SCO1), Hepatic lipase deficiency (LIPC), Hepatoblastoma, cancer and carcinomas (CTNNB1, PDGFRL, PDGRL, PRLTS, AXIN1, AXIN, CTNNB1, TP53, P53, LFS1, IGF2R, MPRI, MET, CASP8, MCH5; Medullary cystic kidney disease (UMOD, HNFJ, FJHN, MCKD2, ADMCKD2); Phenylketonuria (PAH, PKU1, QDPR, DHPR, PTS); Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease (FCYT, PKHD1, ARPKD, PKD1, PKD2, PKD4, PKDTS, PRKCSH, G19P1, PCLD, SEC63). Other preferred targets include any one or more of include one or more of: PCSK9; Hmgcr; SERPINA1; ApoB; and/or LDL.

It will be appreciated that methods of altering expression in the target cell may not involve alteration of the germline, which may be excluded on moral grounds. In fact, although transfection of stem cells is envisaged and certainly preferred in some embodiments, non-stem cells (i.e. post-mitotic cells) are particularly preferred, particularly where they may show or be stimulated to show some regeneration suc as is seen in hepatocytes.

Type II CRISPRs are particularly preferred, especially for use in eukaryotes, as in the present case, where livers are only found in eukaryotes, particularly vertebrate animals, in any case.

Use of the CRISPR-Cas systems to invoke a phenotypic change is a particular advantage, especially in vivo.

Where therapeutic applications are envisaged, or for other genome engineering in the target cells, then where a correction is required it will be appreciated that following nicking or cleavage of the genomic DNA target, then correction via the HDR pathway is preferred. For gene knockdown, NHEJ is advantageous, however, correction via the HDR pathway is preferred for therapy. In such circumstances, it is preferable to deliver a repair template. This is most preferably ssDNA although RNA via a retroviral vector to provide a corresponding DNA template is also possible. The skilled person can readily put the invention into practice from the herein teachings contributing to the knowledge in the art; and in this regard mention is made that the skilled person from the herein teachings contributing to the knowledge in the art can readily appreciate and implement considerations as to homologous arm length. Mention is made of patent applications and publications including herein inventor Zhang, including those cited herein. The repair template is preferably co-delivered with one or more elements of the CRISPR-Cas system.

Also provided is a method of altering expression of at least one liver gene product which may comprise introducing into a eukaryotic cell containing and expressing a DNA molecule having a cell target sequence and encoding the gene product, an engineered, non-naturally occurring Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) (CRISPR-Cas) system which may comprise one or more vectors which may comprise:

a) a first regulatory element operable in a eukaryotic cell operably linked to at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR-Cas system guide RNA that hybridizes with the target sequence, and

b) a second regulatory element operable in a eukaryotic cell operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a Type-II Cas9 protein,

wherein components (a) and (b) are located on same or different vectors of the system, whereby the guide RNA targets the target sequence and the Cas9 protein cleaves the DNA molecule, whereby expression of the at least one liver gene product is altered; and, wherein the Cas9 protein and the guide RNA do not naturally occur together.

Reference below to targets will be understood to be reference to genes or cells, but typically genes, unless otherwise apparent.

The following applies equally to all aspects of the invention. When liver may be mentioned herein, this understood to reference post-mitotic cells in general, especially kidney or brain. The target sequence is most preferably a post-mitotic cell target sequence. The post-mitotic cell may be in or from (i.e. the source of the cells or the cell type) any one of the following organs or may be organoids or ex vivo models or collections of cells comprising cells of the:

Kidney, such as glomerulus cells;

Digestive System including the stomach, pancreas, duodenum, ileum and/or colon;

Heart;

Lung;

Brain, in particular neurons, and/or CNS in general;

Eye, including retinal tissue;

Ear, including the inner ear;

Skin;

Muscle;

Bone; and/or

Liver in general, although this is excluded in some embodiments as it is also the subject of a separate application.

Brain and Kidney are particularly preferred. In some embodiments, the cell is a brain cell, such as a neurone. In some embodiments, the cell is a kidney cell.

Preferred kidney cells include any one or more of:

-   -   Kidney glomerulus parietal cell;     -   Kidney glomerulus podocyte;     -   Kidney proximal tubule brush border cell;     -   Loop of Henle thin segment cell;     -   Thick ascending limb cell;     -   Kidney distal tubule cell;     -   Kidney collecting duct cell; and     -   Interstitial kidney cells.

Preferred examples of target cells are provided in the table below under the appropriate section, for example that entitled ‘kidney’ or ‘liver’ or ‘bone’ or ‘ear’ any of which are preferred, as well as in Table B. Any one or more of these targets is preferred. Examples 1 and 18 also target Kidney cells (albeit stem cells, which are not post-mitotic cells), but the teaching re delivery may be applicable.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, manipulation invokes a phenotypic change in the cell.

In some embodiments, the phenotypic change may be invoked in or maintained in the cell in vivo. Either the cell is transfected in vivo or is extracted, transfected ex vivo and then re-inserted (transplanted) back into the same or a different host.

Expression of the CRISPR enzyme, and optionally the guide sequence, may be under the control of a promoter specific for the cell, for instance comprised within an expression cassette capable of expressing the enzyme and the optional guide in said post-mitotic cell. In other words, the CRISPR enzyme, and optionally the guide sequence, is/are operably linked to said promoter specific for the target cell.

The target cell may be a post-mitotic cell. AAV vector systems are particularly preferred, especially when the post-mitotic cell is a neurone. Somatic cells are also preferred.

The promoter for the CRISPR enzyme and the optional promoter for the guide sequence may be the same or different.

The discussion herein, in particular the following, also applies to any method, use or composition describe herein. The CRISPR-Cas system RNA may be a chimeric RNA (chiRNA). The CRISPR-Cas system may be a multiplexed CRISPR enzyme system further comprising multiple chimeras and/or multiple multiguide sequences and a single tracr sequence. The CRISPR enzyme may be a nuclease directing cleavage of both strands at the location of the target sequence. The CRISPR enzyme may comprise one or more mutations. The CRISPR enzyme may comprise one or more mutations D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A or D986A. The one or more mutations may be in a RuvC1 domain of the CRISPR enzyme. The CRISPR enzyme may be a nickase directing cleavage at the location of the target sequence. The nickase may be a double nickase. At least two or more NLS are preferred.

The CRISPR enzyme may be type II, preferably a Cas and most preferably a Cas9. Reference to Cas or Cas9 (for instance in CRISPR-Cas or CRISPR Cas9) will be understood to be any Cas, most preferably Cas9 and particularly Sa or Sp Cas9 (encompassing all mutations such as D10A to provided DSB, nickase or dual nickase function).

The CRISPR enzyme may have one or more mutations in a catalytic domain, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the enzyme further comprises a functional domain. The functional domain may be a transcriptional activation domain. The transcriptional activation domain may be VP64.

The methods may further comprise minimizing off-target modifications by manipulation of a first and a second target sequence on opposite strands of a DNA duplex in a genomic locus of interest in a cell comprising delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising:

I. a CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises: (a) a first guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the first target sequence, (b) a first tracr mate sequence, (c) a first tracr sequence, (d) a second guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the second target sequence, (e) a second tracr mate sequence, and (f) a second tracr sequence, and optionally, wherein a linker sequence is present between the first tracr sequence and the second guide sequence, whereby the first guide sequence and the second guide sequence are in tandem; and II. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at least one or more nuclear localization sequences, wherein (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises a linker sequence between the first tracr sequence and the second guide sequence, whereby the first guide sequence and the second guide sequence are in tandem, and wherein when transcribed, the first and the second tracr mate sequence hybridize to the first and second tracr sequence respectively and the first and the second guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a first and a second CRISPR complex to the first and second target sequences respectively, or II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system, and when transcribed, a first tracr mate sequence hybridizes to a first tracr sequence and the first and the second guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a first and a second CRISPR complex to the first and second target sequences respectively; wherein the first CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the first guide sequence that is hybridized to the first target sequence, and (2) the first tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the first tracr sequence, wherein the second CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the second guide sequence that is hybridized to the second target sequence, and (2) the second tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the second tracr sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is DNA or RNA, and wherein the first guide sequence directs cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directs cleavage of other strand near the second target sequence inducing a double strand break, thereby modifying the organism or the non-human organism by minimizing off-target modifications.

In some embodiments, the second alternative above (B) is preferred. The first alternative (A) is particularly preferred, however. This applies to all aspects of the invention featuring the two alternative CRISPR approaches.

It will be appreciated that the present application is directed to post-mitotic cells, whether that is an organ per se or a tissue within it or simply one or post-mitotic cells, such as neurons. Neurons and kidney cells are preferred. The post-mitotic cells may be comprised within a vertebrate animal, either a patient (in the sense of an animal in need of CRISPR-directed gene therapy) or a model organism, or may be in cell culture, an organoid or other ex vivo tissue, such a “liver on a chip” for instance where hepatocytes are seeded and grown on a scaffold. Harvested hepatocytes from un-transplanted organs are also a useful target. With the development of 3-D printing techniques being applied to biology, printed tissues are within grasp and it is entirely feasible that liver cells or tissues printed in this way to create an organoid or onto a chip could also be targeted. Non-liver alternatives are also envisaged, particularly for kidney tissues or other post-mitotic cells/tissues.

Thus, provided is a model organism comprising post-mitotic cells, such as neurons or kidney cells, to which the present CRISPR-Cas system has been delivered. Similarly, also provided is an ex vivo collection of two or more post-mitotic cells, such as neurons or kidney cells, to which the present CRISPR-Cas system has been delivered. Such collections may include post-mitotic organs, organoids, cells populating a scaffold (‘kidney on a chip’). Methods of creating such models or collections are also provided.

In particular, such post-mitotic cells may express, or comprise polynucleotides capable of expressing, a Cas enzyme. As discussed herein, this has the advantage of providing a ready model for interrogating gene function through gene perturbation, including knock down. This is particularly useful in studying conditions of the post-mitotic cells, such as the kidney or brain, such as those listed herein, as well as broader conditions such as obesity.

Methods of interrogating post-mitotic cell gene function are also provided herein. These typically comprise delivering to post-mitotic cells, either in or ex vivo, the CRISPR-Cas system. However, if the cells already comprise Cas, whether expressed as a protein or encoded by polynucleotides already comprised within the cells, then only the CRISPR polynucleotide needs to be delivered. The method may include extraction from and, optionally, re-insertion back into the post-mitotic cell. By delivering, it is meant actually physical delivery of the polynucleotides to the nucleus of the cell, but also transfection. Therefore, delivery should also be read as including transfection unless otherwise apparent.

Also provided is a method of inducing gene perturbation in one or more animal or plant cells, comprising transducing a first population of cells with a CRISPR-Cas system according to the present invention to thereby alter the genome of the first population of cells to obtain a second population of cells. The method may be ex vivo or in vitro, for instance in a cell culture or in an ex vivo or in vitro model (such as an organoid or ‘animal or plant cell on a chip’). Alternatively, the method may be in vivo, in which case it may also include isolating the first population of cells from the subject, and transplanting the second population of cells (back) into the subject. Gene perturbation may be for one or more, or two or more, or three or more, or four or more genes. The gene perturbation may be a reduction in gene function (i.e. activity in the encoded gene product). This may be, for instance, induced through alteration of the genome of the first population of cells to obtain the second population of cells, wherein the second population of cells has a defective genotype, such as a monogenic condition, which is absent in the first population of cells. This may require a corresponding repair template, as discussed herein, to provide the defective sequence or it may be through induction of a DSB. In particular, the gene perturbation is a gene knockdown. In some embodiments, the animal or plant cell is most preferably a post-mitotic cell such as a kidney or brain (neuron) cell or a liver cell, such as a primary hepatocyte.

Alternatively, the gene perturbation may be an increase in gene function (i.e. activity in the encoded gene product). This may be, for instance, induced through alteration of the genome of the first population of cells to obtain the second population of cells, wherein the first population of cells has a defective genotype, such as a monogenic condition, which is absent in (i.e. corrected for in) the second population of cells. This may require a corresponding repair template, as discussed herein, to provide the corrected sequence.

If multiplexing is used, then a mixture of reduction of one or more genes and increase of one or more genes is envisaged. This may be achieved through provision of one or more of the guides (in the multiplex) and corresponding repair templates may be used to reduce function, whilst one or more of the guides and their corresponding templates may be used to increase function.

Also provided is a method of interrogating function of one or more genes in one or more animal or plant cells, comprising determining changes in expression of the one or more genes in the first populations of animal or plant cells, inducing said gene perturbation in said first population to provide said second population with an altered genome (or genotype), and determining changes in expression of the one or more genes in the second population of animal or plant cells, thereby interrogating the function of the one or more genes. In some embodiments, the animal or plant cell is most preferably a post-mitotic cell such as a kidney or brain (neuron) cell or a liver cell, such as a primary hepatocyte.

Also provided is a model and a method of creating said model. The model may be an animal comprising a animal or plant cell (an in vivo model) or it may be an ex vivo or in vitro model, such as a animal or plant organoid or ‘animal or plant cell on a chip’ or the collection of animal or plant cells, such as a on a scaffold, as described herein. The animal or plant cells of either model will preferably be transfected with Cas9. Accordingly, there is specifically provided a model comprising one or more animal or plant cells comprising the CRISPR enzyme, preferably a Cas9 such as Sa or SpCas9. The model cells may have been transfected or transduced with the second regulatory element provided herein, which is second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at list one or more nuclear localization sequences (NLSs). The model may be, as described above, an in vivo model or it may be an ex vivo or in vitro model. Such a model allows rapid interrogation of function of one or more genes, as only the CRISPR-Cas system polynucleotide sequence (comprising one or more guide sequences targeting said one or more genes) needs to be delivered to perturb the function of said gene. In other words, methods of interrogating gene function in such models may comprise only delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system polynucleotide sequence (comprising the one or more guide sequences), the Cas (CRISPR enzyme) having already been provided in the cell(s) of the model. Methods of creating such models are also provided, comprising transducing or transfecting one or more animal or plant cells in a first population of animal or plant cells with a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at list one or more nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) as described herein to thereby provide one or more second population of animal or plant cells comprising or expressing the CRISPR enzyme. In some embodiments, the animal or plant cell is most preferably a post-mitotic cell such as a kidney or brain (neuron) cell or a liver cell, such as a primary hepatocyte.

Methods of creating gene perturbed models, in particular gene knock down models, are also provided. These methods may typically comprise inducing gene perturbation in one or more genes, as described herein, in a first population of cells to thereby provide a second population of cells with an altered genome (or genotype). The second population of cells may then be seeded into a scaffold or onto a chip, for instance, to thereby provide an ex vivo or in vitro model. Alternatively, the second population of may be comprised within an in vivo animal.

Methods of gene therapy are also envisaged. For instance, correction of one or more deficient genotypes (for example single point mutations) is achievable through the use of the present CRISPR-Cas system in the post-mitotic cells discussed herein (including the models). Monogenic conditions associated with the post-mitotic are particularly preferred and are exemplified herein, see Example 36 where the CRISPR-Cas9 system target was ApoB, a lipid metabolism gene, was effective at inducing a phenotypic change in vivo. Example 38 is also instructive in relation to phenotypic behavior changes seen in vivo in the brain of mice transduced with the present system. Compositions for use in gene therapy are also provided.

Although various Cas enzymes are envisaged, Cas9 is particularly preferred and we have shown particular efficacy in the liver for SaCa9. Tracr sequence from Sa is also preferred if the Cas enzyme is an Sa Cas enzyme. A suitable PAM in such circumstance is NNGRR.

Although one guide may be used, so-called multiplexing with two, three, four or more guides, is particularly useful in interrogation of gene function and model creation (to provide multiple gene knock downs), but also in gene therapy where multiple defective genotypes are to be corrected (either multiple errors in a single gene or, more likely, multiple errors spread across several genes). Alternatively, multiplexing with two guides is useful in a dual nickase approach to reduce off-target effects or simply selection of multiple targets within one gene to ensure Cas recruitment. Triple and quadruple guides are preferred. Reference to gene herein is made interchangeably with genomic locus.

The intron approach described here is also useful in this regard, where the guide is positioned within the Cas intron.

Preferred means of delivery include the methods described by Kanasty below, such as LNP, especially where only the guide is to be delivered or it is to be delivered alone. However, viral vectors including lentiviral and AAV are generally preferred for the liver as they have been successful to date. Of these, AAV is preferred and especially serotype 8, with AAV2/8 shown to be effective. Some preferred targets, to the extent that they are present in or conditions of the kidney are metabolic disorders, such as any one of: Amyloid neuropathy (TTR, PALB); Amyloidosis (APOA1, APP, AAA, CVAP, AD1, GSN, FGA, LYZ, TTR, PALB); Cirrhosis (KRT18, KRT8, CIRH1A, NAIC, TEX292, KIAA1988); Cystic fibrosis (CFTR, ABCC7, CF, MRP7); Glycogen storage diseases (SLC2A2, GLUT2, G6PC, G6PT, G6PT1, GAA, LAMP2, LAMPB, AGL, GDE, GBE1, GYS2, PYGL, PFKM); Hepatic adenoma, 142330 (TCF1, HNF1A, MODY3), Hepatic failure, early onset, and neurologic disorder (SCOD1, SCO1), Hepatic lipase deficiency (LIPC), Hepatoblastoma, cancer and carcinomas (CTNNB1, PDGFRL, PDGRL, PRLTS, AXIN1, AXIN, CTNNB1, TP53, P53, LFS1, IGF2R, MPRI, MET, CASP8, MCH5; Medullary cystic kidney disease (UMOD, HNFJ, FJHN, MCKD2, ADMCKD2); Phenylketonuria (PAH, PKU1, QDPR, DHPR, PTS); Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease (FCYT, PKHD1, ARPKD, PKD1, PKD2, PKD4, PKDTS, PRKCSH, G19P1, PCLD, SEC63). Other preferred targets include any one or more of: PCSK9, HMGCR, APOB, LDLR, ANGPTL3, F8, F9/FIX, AAT, FAH, HPD, TAT, ATP7B, UGT1A1, OTC, ARH.

It will be appreciated that methods of altering expression in the post-mitotic cell do not involve alteration of the germline, which may be excluded on moral grounds. In fact, although transfection of stem cells is envisaged and certainly preferred in some embodiments, neurons or kidney cells are particularly preferred, particularly where they may show or be stimulated to show some regeneration.

Type II CRISPRS are particularly preferred, especially for use in eukaryotes, as in the present case, where livers are only found in eukaryotes, particularly vertebrate animals, in any case.

Use of the CRISPR-Cas systems to invoke a phenotypic change is a particular advantage, especially in vivo. We have shown this in the present application.

Where therapeutic applications are envisaged, or for other genome engineering in the post-mitotic cells, then where a correction is required it will be appreciated that following nicking or cleavage of the genomic DNA target, then correction via the HDR pathway is preferred. For gene knockdown, NHEJ is advantageous, however, correction via the HDR pathway is preferred for therapy. In such circumstances, it is preferable to deliver a repair template. This is most preferably ssDNA although RNA via a retroviral vector to provide a corresponding DNA template is also possible. The skilled person can readily put the invention into practice from the herein teachings contributing to the knowledge in the art; and in this regard mention is made that the skilled person from the herein teachings contributing to the knowledge in the art can readily appreciate and implement considerations as to homologous arm length. Mention is made of patent applications and publications including herein inventor Zhang, including those cited herein. The repair template is preferably co-delivered with one or more elements of the CRISPR-Cas system.

Also provided is a method of altering expression of at least one post-mitotic cell gene product comprising introducing into a eukaryotic liver cell, for example a hepatocyte, containing and expressing a DNA molecule having a target sequence and encoding the gene product, an engineered, non-naturally occurring Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) (CRISPR-Cas) system comprising one or more vectors comprising:

a) a first regulatory element operable in a eukaryotic cell operably linked to at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR-Cas system guide RNA that hybridizes with the target sequence, and

b) a second regulatory element operable in a eukaryotic cell operably linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a Type-II Cas9 protein,

wherein components (a) and (b) are located on same or different vectors of the system, whereby the guide RNA targets the target sequence and the Cas9 protein cleaves the DNA molecule, whereby expression of the at least one post-mitotic cell gene product is altered; and, wherein the Cas9 protein and the guide RNA do not naturally occur together. Reference below to targets will be understood to be post-mitotic cell targets or genes otherwise expressed in the post-mitotic cell unless otherwise apparent

Any or all of the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, guide sequence, tracr mate sequence or tracr sequence, may be RNA. The polynucleotides encoding the sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, the guide sequence, tracr mate sequence or tracr sequence may be RNA and may be delivered via liposomes, nanoparticles, exosomes, microvesicles, or a gene-gun.

It will be appreciated that where reference is made to a polynucleotide, which is RNA and is said to ‘comprise’ a feature such a tracr mate sequence, the RNA sequence includes the feature. Where the polynucleotide is DNA and is said to comprise a feature such a tracr mate sequence, the DNA sequence is or can be transcribed into the RNA including the feature at issue. Where the feature is a protein, such as the CRISPR enzyme, the DNA or RNA sequence referred to is, or can be, translated (and in the case of DNA transcribed first).

Accordingly, in certain embodiments the invention provides a method of modifying an organism (for example, by modifying the post-mitotic cells of an organism), e.g., mammal including human or a non-human mammal or organism by manipulation of a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest comprising delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a viral or plasmid vector system comprising one or more viral or plasmid vectors operably encoding a composition for expression thereof, wherein the composition comprises: (A) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising I. a first regulatory element operably linked to a CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, (b) a tracr mate sequence, and (c) a tracr sequence, and II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at least one or more nuclear localization sequences (or optionally at least one or more nuclear localization sequences as some embodiments can involve no NLS), wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, or (B) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising I. a first regulatory element operably linked to (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences, II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and III. a third regulatory element operably linked to a tracr sequence, wherein components I, II and III are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence. In some embodiments, components I, II and III are located on the same vector. In other embodiments, components I and II are located on the same vector, while component III is located on another vector. In other embodiments, components I and III are located on the same vector, while component II is located on another vector. In other embodiments, components II and III are located on the same vector, while component I is located on another vector. In other embodiments, each of components I, II and III is located on different vectors. The invention also provides a viral or plasmid vector system as described herein.

Preferably, the vector is a viral vector, such as a lenti- or baculo- or preferably adeno-viral/adeno-associated viral vectors, but other means of delivery are known (such as yeast systems, microvesicles, gene guns/means of attaching vectors to gold nanoparticles) and are provided. In some embodiments, one or more of the viral or plasmid vectors may be delivered via liposomes, nanoparticles, exosomes, microvesicles, or a gene-gun.

By manipulation of a target sequence, Applicants also mean the epigenetic manipulation of a target sequence. This may be of the chromatin state of a target sequence, such as by modification of the methylation state of the target sequence (i.e. addition or removal of methylation or methylation patterns or CpG islands), histone modification, increasing or reducing accessibility to the target sequence, or by promoting 3D folding.

It will be appreciated that where reference is made to a method of modifying an organism or mammal including human or a non-human mammal or organism by manipulation of a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest, this may apply to the organism (or mammal) as a whole or just a single cell or population of cells from that organism (if the organism is multicellular). In the case of humans, for instance, Applicants envisage, inter alia, a single cell or a population of cells and these may preferably be modified ex vivo and then re-introduced. In this case, a biopsy or other tissue or biological fluid sample may be necessary. Stem cells are also particularly preferred in this regard. But, of course, in vivo embodiments are also envisaged.

In certain embodiments the invention provides a method of treating or inhibiting a condition caused by a defect in a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest in a subject (e.g., mammal or human) or a non-human subject (e.g., mammal) in need thereof comprising modifying the subject or a non-human subject by manipulation of the target sequence and wherein the condition is susceptible to treatment or inhibition by manipulation of the target sequence comprising providing treatment comprising: delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising an AAV or lentivirus vector system comprising one or more AAV or lentivirus vectors operably encoding a composition for expression thereof, wherein the target sequence is manipulated by the composition when expressed, wherein the composition comprises: (A) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising I. a first regulatory element operably linked to a CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, (b) a tracr mate sequence, and (c) a tracr sequence, and II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at least one or more nuclear localization sequences (or optionally at least one or more nuclear localization sequences as some embodiments can involve no NLS) wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, or (B) a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising I. a first regulatory element operably linked to (a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences, II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and III. a third regulatory element operably linked to a tracr sequence, wherein components I, II and III are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence. In some embodiments, components I, II and III are located on the same vector. In other embodiments, components I and II are located on the same vector, while component III is located on another vector. In other embodiments, components I and III are located on the same vector, while component II is located on another vector. In other embodiments, components II and III are located on the same vector, while component I is located on another vector. In other embodiments, each of components I, II and III is located on different vectors. The invention also provides a viral (e.g. AAV or lentivirus) vector system as described herein, and can be part of a vector system as described herein.

Some methods of the invention can include inducing expression. In some methods of the invention the organism or subject is a eukaryote (including mammal including human) or a non-human eukaryote or a non-human animal or a non-human mammal. In some embodiments, the organism or subject is a non-human animal, and may be an arthropod, for example, an insect, or may be a nematode. In some methods of the invention the organism or subject is a plant. In some methods of the invention the organism or subject is a mammal or a non-human mammal. A non-human mammal may be for example a rodent (preferably a mouse or a rat), an ungulate, or a primate. In some methods of the invention the organism or subject is algae, including microalgae, or is a fungus. In some methods of the invention the viral vector is an AAV or a lentivirus, and can be part of a vector system as described herein. In some methods of the invention the CRISPR enzyme is a Cas9. In some methods of the invention the expression of the guide sequence is under the control of the T7 promoter and is driven by the expression of T7 polymerase.

The invention in some embodiments comprehends a method of delivering a CRISPR enzyme comprising delivering to a cell mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme. In some of these methods the CRISPR enzyme is a Cas9.

The invention also provides methods of preparing the vector systems of the invention, in particular the viral vector systems as described herein. The invention in some embodiments comprehends a method of preparing the AAV of the invention comprising transfecting plasmid(s) containing or consisting essentially of nucleic acid molecule(s) coding for the AAV into AAV-infected cells, and supplying AAV rep and/or cap obligatory for replication and packaging of the AAV. In some embodiments the AAV rep and/or cap obligatory for replication and packaging of the AAV are supplied by transfecting the cells with helper plasmid(s) or helper virus(es). In some embodiments the helper virus is a poxvirus, adenovirus, herpesvirus or baculovirus. In some embodiments the poxvirus is a vaccinia virus. In some embodiments the cells are mammalian cells. And in some embodiments the cells are insect cells and the helper virus is baculovirus. In other embodiments, the virus is a lentivirus.

In plants, pathogens are often host-specific. For example, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici causes tomato wilt but attacks only tomato, and F. oxysporum f. dianthii Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici attacks only wheat. Plants have existing and induced defenses to resist most pathogens. Mutations and recombination events across plant generations lead to genetic variability that gives rise to susceptibility, especially as pathogens reproduce with more frequency than plants. In plants there can be non-host resistance, e.g., the host and pathogen are incompatible. There can also be Horizontal Resistance, e.g., partial resistance against all races of a pathogen, typically controlled by many genes and Vertical Resistance, e.g., complete resistance to some races of a pathogen but not to other races, typically controlled by a few genes. In a Gene-for-Gene level, plants and pathogens evolve together, and the genetic changes in one balance changes in other. Accordingly, using Natural Variability, breeders combine most useful genes for Yield, Quality, Uniformity, Hardiness, Resistance. The sources of resistance genes include native or foreign Varieties, Heirloom Varieties, Wild Plant Relatives, and Induced Mutations, e.g., treating plant material with mutagenic agents. Using the present invention, plant breeders are provided with a new tool to induce mutations. Accordingly, one skilled in the art can analyze the genome of sources of resistance genes, and in Varieties having desired characteristics or traits employ the present invention to induce the rise of resistance genes, with more precision than previous mutagenic agents and hence accelerate and improve plant breeding programs.

The invention further comprehends a composition of the invention or a CRISPR enzyme thereof (including or alternatively mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme) for use in medicine or in therapy. In some embodiments the invention comprehends a composition according to the invention or a CRISPR enzyme thereof (including or alternatively mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme) for use in a method according to the invention. In some embodiments the invention provides for the use of a composition of the invention or a CRISPR enzyme thereof (including or alternatively mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme) in ex vivo gene or genome editing. In certain embodiments the invention comprehends use of a composition of the invention or a CRISPR enzyme thereof (including or alternatively mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme) in the manufacture of a medicament for ex vivo gene or genome editing or for use in a method according of the invention. The invention comprehends in some embodiments a composition of the invention or a CRISPR enzyme thereof (including or alternatively mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme), wherein the target sequence is flanked at its 3′ end by a PAM (protospacer adjacent motif) sequence comprising 5′-motif, especially where the Cas9 is (or is derived from) S. pyogenes or S. aureus Cas9. For example, a suitable PAM is 5′-NRG or 5′-NNGRR (where N is any Nucleotide) for SpCas9 or SaCas9 enzymes (or derived enzymes), respectively, as mentioned below.

It will be appreciated that SpCas9 or SaCas9 are those from or derived from S. pyogenes or S. aureus Cas9. It may of course, be mutated or otherwise changed from the wild type to suit the intended use, as described herein. The dual nickase D10A mutant or variant is preferred, especially in combination with two overlapping guides directed as opposing sites on differing strands of the same chromosome.

Aspects of the invention comprehend improving the specificity of a CRISPR enzyme, e.g. Cas9, mediated gene targeting and reducing the likelihood of off-target modification by the CRISPR enzyme, e.g. Cas9. The invention in some embodiments comprehends a method of modifying an organism or a non-human organism by minimizing off-target modifications by manipulation of a first and a second target sequence on opposite strands of a DNA duplex in a genomic locus of interest in a cell comprising delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition which may comprise:

I. a first CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the first polynucleotide sequence comprises:

(a) a first guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the first target sequence, (b) a first tracr mate sequence, and (c) a first tracr sequence,

II. a second CRISPR-Cas system chiRNA polynucleotide sequence, wherein the second polynucleotide sequence may comprise:

(a) a second guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the second target sequence, (b) a second tracr mate sequence, and (c) a second tracr sequence, and

III. a polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme which may comprise at least one or more nuclear localization sequences and comprising one or more mutations, wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation, wherein when transcribed, the first and the second tracr mate sequence hybridize to the first and second tracr sequence respectively and the first and the second guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a first and a second CRISPR complex to the first and second target sequences respectively, wherein the first CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the first guide sequence that is hybridized to the first target sequence, and (2) the first tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the first tracr sequence, wherein the second CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the second guide sequence that is hybridized to the second target sequence, and (2) the second tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the second tracr sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is DNA or RNA, and wherein the first guide sequence directs cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directs cleavage of the other strand near the second target sequence inducing a double strand break, thereby modifying the organism or the non-human organism by minimizing off-target modifications.

In some methods of the invention any or all of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the CRISPR enzyme, the first and the second guide sequence, the first and the second tracr mate sequence or the first and the second tracr sequence, is/are RNA. In further embodiments of the invention the polynucleotides encoding the sequence encoding the CRISPR enzyme, the first and the second guide sequence, the first and the second tracr mate sequence or the first and the second tracr sequence, is/are RNA and are delivered via liposomes, nanoparticles, exosomes, microvesicles, or a gene-gun. In certain embodiments of the invention, the first and second tracr mate sequence share 100% identity and/or the first and second tracr sequence share 100% identity. In some embodiments, the polynucleotides may be comprised within a vector system comprising one or more vectors. In preferred embodiments of the invention the CRISPR enzyme is a Cas9 enzyme, e.g. SpCas9. In an aspect of the invention the CRISPR enzyme comprises one or more mutations in a catalytic domain, wherein the one or more mutations are selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and D986A. In a highly preferred embodiment the CRISPR enzyme has the D10A mutation. In preferred embodiments, the first CRISPR enzyme has one or more mutations such that the enzyme is a complementary strand nicking enzyme, and the second CRISPR enzyme has one or more mutations such that the enzyme is a non-complementary strand nicking enzyme. Alternatively the first enzyme may be a non-complementary strand nicking enzyme, and the second enzyme may be a complementary strand nicking enzyme.

In preferred methods of the invention the first guide sequence directing cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directing cleavage of the other strand near the second target sequence results in a 5′ overhang. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at most 200 base pairs, preferably at most 100 base pairs, or more preferably at most 50 base pairs. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at least 26 base pairs, preferably at least 30 base pairs or more preferably 34-50 base pairs. Most preferably, the overlap is between 5 and −1 base pairs.

The invention in some embodiments comprehends a method of modifying an organism or a non-human organism by minimizing off-target modifications by manipulation of a first and a second target sequence on opposite strands of a DNA duplex in a genomic locus of interest in a cell comprising delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising

I. a first regulatory element operably linked to

(a) a first guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the first target sequence, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences,

II. a second regulatory element operably linked to

(a) a second guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the second target sequence, and (b) at least one or more tracr mate sequences,

III. a third regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, and

IV. a fourth regulatory element operably linked to a tracr sequence,

wherein components I, II, III and IV are located on the same or different vectors of the system, when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the first and the second guide sequence direct sequence-specific binding of a first and a second CRISPR complex to the first and second target sequences respectively, wherein the first CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the first guide sequence that is hybridized to the first target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, wherein the second CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the second guide sequence that is hybridized to the second target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is DNA or RNA, and wherein the first guide sequence directs cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directs cleavage of the other strand near the second target sequence inducing a double strand break, thereby modifying the organism or the non-human organism by minimizing off-target modifications.

The invention also provides a vector system as described herein. The system may comprise one, two, three or four different vectors. Components I, II, III and IV may thus be located on one, two, three or four different vectors, and all combinations for possible locations of the components are herein envisaged, for example: components I, II, III and IV can be located on the same vector; components I, II, III and IV can each be located on different vectors; components I, II, II I and IV may be located on a total of two or three different vectors, with all combinations of locations envisaged, etc.

In some methods of the invention any or all of the polynucleotide sequence encoding the CRISPR enzyme, the first and the second guide sequence, the first and the second tracr mate sequence or the first and the second tracr sequence, is/are RNA. In further embodiments of the invention the first and second tracr mate sequence share 100% identity and/or the first and second tracr sequence share 100% identity. In preferred embodiments of the invention the CRISPR enzyme is a Cas9 enzyme, e.g. SpCas9. In an aspect of the invention the CRISPR enzyme comprises one or more mutations in a catalytic domain, wherein the one or more mutations are selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and D986A. In a highly preferred embodiment the CRISPR enzyme has the D10A mutation. In preferred embodiments, the first CRISPR enzyme has one or more mutations such that the enzyme is a complementary strand nicking enzyme, and the second CRISPR enzyme has one or more mutations such that the enzyme is a non-complementary strand nicking enzyme. Alternatively the first enzyme may be a non-complementary strand nicking enzyme, and the second enzyme may be a complementary strand nicking enzyme. In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more of the viral vectors are delivered via liposomes, nanoparticles, exosomes, microvesicles, or a gene-gun.

In preferred methods of the invention the first guide sequence directing cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directing cleavage of other strand near the second target sequence results in a 5′ overhang. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at most 200 base pairs, preferably at most 100 base pairs, or more preferably at most 50 base pairs. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at least 26 base pairs, preferably at least 30 base pairs or more preferably 34-50 base pairs.

The invention in some embodiments comprehends a method of modifying a genomic locus of interest by minimizing off-target modifications by introducing into a cell containing and expressing a double stranded DNA molecule encoding a gene product of interest an engineered, non-naturally occurring CRISPR-Cas system comprising a Cas protein having one or more mutations and two guide RNAs that target a first strand and a second strand of the DNA molecule respectively, whereby the guide RNAs target the DNA molecule encoding the gene product and the Cas protein nicks each of the first strand and the second strand of the DNA molecule encoding the gene product, whereby expression of the gene product is altered; and, wherein the Cas protein and the two guide RNAs do not naturally occur together.

In preferred methods of the invention the Cas protein nicking each of the first strand and the second strand of the DNA molecule encoding the gene product results in a 5′ overhang. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at most 200 base pairs, preferably at most 100 base pairs, or more preferably at most 50 base pairs. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at least 26 base pairs, preferably at least 30 base pairs or more preferably 34-50 base pairs.

Embodiments of the invention also comprehend the guide RNAs comprising a guide sequence fused to a tracr mate sequence and a tracr sequence. In an aspect of the invention the Cas protein is codon optimized for expression in a eukaryotic cell, preferably a mammalian cell or a human cell. In further embodiments of the invention the Cas protein is a type II CRISPR-Cas protein, e.g. a Cas 9 protein. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein is a Cas9 protein, e.g. SpCas9. In aspects of the invention the Cas protein has one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and D986A. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein has the D10A mutation.

Aspects of the invention relate to the expression of the gene product being decreased or a template polynucleotide being further introduced into the DNA molecule encoding the gene product or an intervening sequence being excised precisely by allowing the two 5′ overhangs to reanneal and ligate or the activity or function of the gene product being altered or the expression of the gene product being increased. In an embodiment of the invention, the gene product is a protein.

The invention also comprehends an engineered, non-naturally occurring CRISPR-Cas system comprising a Cas protein having one or more mutations and two guide RNAs that target a first strand and a second strand respectively of a double stranded DNA molecule encoding a gene product in a cell, whereby the guide RNAs target the DNA molecule encoding the gene product and the Cas protein nicks each of the first strand and the second strand of the DNA molecule encoding the gene product, whereby expression of the gene product is altered; and, wherein the Cas protein and the two guide RNAs do not naturally occur together.

In aspects of the invention the guide RNAs may comprise a guide sequence fused to a tracr mate sequence and a tracr sequence. In an embodiment of the invention the Cas protein is a type II CRISPR-Cas protein. In an aspect of the invention the Cas protein is codon optimized for expression in a eukaryotic cell, preferably a mammalian cell or a human cell. In further embodiments of the invention the Cas protein is a type II CRISPR-Cas protein, e.g. a Cas 9 protein. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein is a Cas9 protein, e.g. SpCas9. In aspects of the invention the Cas protein has one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and D986A. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein has the D10A mutation.

Aspects of the invention relate to the expression of the gene product being decreased or a template polynucleotide being further introduced into the DNA molecule encoding the gene product or an intervening sequence being excised precisely by allowing the two 5′ overhangs to reanneal and ligate or the activity or function of the gene product being altered or the expression of the gene product being increased. In an embodiment of the invention, the gene product is a protein.

The invention also comprehends an engineered, non-naturally occurring vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising:

a) a first regulatory element operably linked to each of two CRISPR-Cas system guide RNAs that target a first strand and a second strand respectively of a double stranded DNA molecule encoding a gene product, b) a second regulatory element operably linked to a Cas protein, wherein components (a) and (b) are located on same or different vectors of the system, whereby the guide RNAs target the DNA molecule encoding the gene product and the Cas protein nicks each of the first strand and the second strand of the DNA molecule encoding the gene product, whereby expression of the gene product is altered; and, wherein the Cas protein and the two guide RNAs do not naturally occur together.

In aspects of the invention the guide RNAs may comprise a guide sequence fused to a tracr mate sequence and a tracr sequence. In an embodiment of the invention the Cas protein is a type II CRISPR-Cas protein. In an aspect of the invention the Cas protein is codon optimized for expression in a eukaryotic cell, preferably a mammalian cell or a human cell. In further embodiments of the invention the Cas protein is a type II CRISPR-Cas protein, e.g. a Cas 9 protein. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein is a Cas9 protein, e.g. SpCas9. In aspects of the invention the Cas protein has one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and D986A. In a highly preferred embodiment the Cas protein has the D10A mutation.

Aspects of the invention relate to the expression of the gene product being decreased or a template polynucleotide being further introduced into the DNA molecule encoding the gene product or an intervening sequence being excised precisely by allowing the two 5′ overhangs to reanneal and ligate or the activity or function of the gene product being altered or the expression of the gene product being increased. In an embodiment of the invention, the gene product is a protein. In preferred embodiments of the invention the vectors of the system are viral vectors. In a further embodiment, the vectors of the system are delivered via liposomes, nanoparticles, exosomes, microvesicles, or a gene-gun.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying a target polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to the target polynucleotide to effect cleavage of said target polynucleotide thereby modifying the target polynucleotide, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within said target polynucleotide, wherein said guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence. In some embodiments, said cleavage comprises cleaving one or two strands at the location of the target sequence by said CRISPR enzyme. In some embodiments, said cleavage results in decreased transcription of a target gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises repairing said cleaved target polynucleotide by homologous recombination with an exogenous template polynucleotide, wherein said repair results in a mutation comprising an insertion, deletion, or substitution of one or more nucleotides of said target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, said mutation results in one or more amino acid changes in a protein expressed from a gene comprising the target sequence. In some embodiments, the method further comprises delivering one or more vectors to said eukaryotic cell, wherein the one or more vectors drive expression of one or more of: the CRISPR enzyme, the guide sequence linked to the tracr mate sequence, and the tracr sequence. In some embodiments, said vectors are delivered to the eukaryotic cell in a subject. In some embodiments, said modifying takes place in said eukaryotic cell in a cell culture. In some embodiments, the method further comprises isolating said eukaryotic cell from a subject prior to said modifying. In some embodiments, the method further comprises returning said eukaryotic cell and/or cells derived therefrom to said subject.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying expression of a polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to the polynucleotide such that said binding results in increased or decreased expression of said polynucleotide; wherein the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within said polynucleotide, wherein said guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence. In some embodiments, the method further comprises delivering one or more vectors to said eukaryotic cells, wherein the one or more vectors drive expression of one or more of: the CRISPR enzyme, the guide sequence linked to the tracr mate sequence, and the tracr sequence.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of generating a model eukaryotic cell comprising a mutated disease gene. In some embodiments, a disease gene is any gene associated with an increase in the risk of having or developing a disease. In some embodiments, the method comprises (a) introducing one or more vectors into a eukaryotic cell, wherein the one or more vectors drive expression of one or more of: a CRISPR enzyme, a guide sequence linked to a tracr mate sequence, and a tracr sequence; and (b) allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to a target polynucleotide to effect cleavage of the target polynucleotide within said disease gene, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence within the target polynucleotide, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, thereby generating a model eukaryotic cell comprising a mutated disease gene. In some embodiments, said cleavage comprises cleaving one or two strands at the location of the target sequence by said CRISPR enzyme. In some embodiments, said cleavage results in decreased transcription of a target gene. In some embodiments, the method further comprises repairing said cleaved target polynucleotide by homologous recombination with an exogenous template polynucleotide, wherein said repair results in a mutation comprising an insertion, deletion, or substitution of one or more nucleotides of said target polynucleotide. In some embodiments, said mutation results in one or more amino acid changes in a protein expression from a gene comprising the target sequence.

In one aspect the invention provides for a method of selecting one or more prokaryotic cell(s) by introducing one or more mutations in a gene in the one or more prokaryotic cell (s), the method comprising: introducing one or more vectors into the prokaryotic cell (s), wherein the one or more vectors drive expression of one or more of: a CRISPR enzyme, a guide sequence linked to a tracr mate sequence, a tracr sequence, and an editing template; wherein the editing template comprises the one or more mutations that abolish CRISPR enzyme cleavage; allowing homologous recombination of the editing template with the target polynucleotide in the cell(s) to be selected; allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to a target polynucleotide to effect cleavage of the target polynucleotide within said gene, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence within the target polynucleotide, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence, wherein binding of the CRISPR complex to the target polynucleotide induces cell death, thereby allowing one or more prokaryotic cell(s) in which one or more mutations have been introduced to be selected. In a preferred embodiment, the CRISPR enzyme is Cas9. In another aspect of the invention the cell to be selected may be a eukaryotic cell, such as a post-mitotic eukaryotic cell. Aspects of the invention allow for selection of specific cells without requiring a selection marker or a two-step process that may include a counter-selection system.

In one aspect, the invention provides for methods of modifying a target polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to the target polynucleotide to effect cleavage of said target polynucleotide thereby modifying the target polynucleotide, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within said target polynucleotide, wherein said guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence.

In other embodiments, this invention provides a method of modifying expression of a polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. The method comprises increasing or decreasing expression of a target polynucleotide by using a CRISPR complex that binds to the polynucleotide.

Where desired, to effect the modification of the expression in a cell, one or more vectors comprising a tracr sequence, a guide sequence linked to the tracr mate sequence, a sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is delivered to a cell. In some methods, the one or more vectors comprises a regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding said CRISPR enzyme comprising a nuclear localization sequence; and a regulatory element operably linked to a tracr mate sequence and one or more insertion sites for inserting a guide sequence upstream of the tracr mate sequence. When expressed, the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence in a cell. Typically, the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence.

In some methods, a target polynucleotide can be inactivated to effect the modification of the expression in a cell. For example, upon the binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence in a cell, the target polynucleotide is inactivated such that the sequence is not transcribed, the coded protein is not produced, or the sequence does not function as the wild-type sequence does. For example, a protein or microRNA coding sequence may be inactivated such that the protein is not produced.

In certain embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme comprises one or more mutations selected from the group consisting of D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A or D986A and/or the one or more mutations is in a RuvC1 or HNH domain of the CRISPR enzyme or is a mutation as otherwise as discussed herein. In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme has one or more mutations in a catalytic domain, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and wherein the enzyme further comprises a functional domain. In some embodiments, the functional domain is a transcriptional activation domain, preferably VP64. In some embodiments, the functional domain is a transcription repression domain, preferably KRAB. In some embodiments, the transcription repression domain is SID, or concatemers of SID (eg SID4X). In some embodiments, the functional domain is an epigenetic modifying domain, such that an epigenetic modifying enzyme is provided. In some embodiments, the functional domain is an activation domain, which may be the P65 activation domain.

In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme is a type I or III CRISPR enzyme, but is preferably a type II CRISPR enzyme. This type II CRISPR enzyme may be any Cas enzyme. A Cas enzyme may be identified as Cas9 as this can refer to the general class of enzymes that share homology to the biggest nuclease with multiple nuclease domains from the type II CRISPR system. Most preferably, the Cas9 enzyme is from, or is derived from, spCas9 or saCas9. By derived, Applicants mean that the derived enzyme is largely based, in the sense of having a high degree of sequence homology with, a wildtype enzyme, but that it has been mutated (modified) in some way as described herein.

It will be appreciated that the terms Cas and CRISPR enzyme are generally used herein interchangeably, unless otherwise apparent. As mentioned above, many of the residue numberings used herein refer to the Cas9 enzyme from the type II CRISPR locus in Streptococcus pyogenes. However, it will be appreciated that this invention includes many more Cas9s from other species of microbes, such as SpCas9, SaCa9, StlCas9 and so forth.

An example of a codon optimized sequence, in this instance optimized for humans (i.e. being optimized for expression in humans) is provided herein, see the SaCas9 human codon optimized sequence. Whilst this is preferred, it will be appreciated that other examples are possible and codon optimization for a host species is known.

Preferably, delivery is in the form of a vector which may be a viral vector, such as a lenti- or baculo- or preferably adeno-viral/adeno-associated viral vectors, but other means of delivery are known (such as yeast systems, microvesicles, gene guns/means of attaching vectors to gold nanoparticles) and are provided. A vector may mean not only a viral or yeast system (for instance, where the nucleic acids of interest may be operably linked to and under the control of (in terms of expression, such as to ultimately provide a processed RNA) a promoter), but also direct delivery of nucleic acids into a host cell. While in herein methods the vector may be a viral vector and this is advantageously an AAV, other viral vectors as herein discussed can be employed, such as lentivirus. For example, baculoviruses may be used for expression in insect cells. These insect cells may, in turn be useful for producing large quantities of further vectors, such as AAV or lentivirus vectors adapted for delivery of the present invention. Also envisaged is a method of delivering the present CRISPR enzyme comprising delivering to a cell mRNA encoding the CRISPR enzyme. It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments the CRISPR enzyme is truncated, and/or comprised of less than one thousand amino acids or less than four thousand amino acids, and/or is a nuclease or nickase, and/or is codon-optimized, and/or comprises one or more mutations, and/or comprises a chimeric CRISPR enzyme, and/or the other options as herein discussed. AAV and lentiviral vectors are preferred.

In certain embodiments, the target sequence is flanked or followed, at its 3′ end, by a PAM suitable for the CRISPR enzyme, typically a Cas and in particular a Cas9.

For example, a suitable PAM is 5′-NRG or 5′-NNGRR for SpCas9 or SaCas9 enzymes (or derived enzymes), respectively.

It will be appreciated that SpCas9 or SaCas9 are those from or derived from S. pyogenes or S. aureus Cas9.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to not encompass within the invention any previously known product, process of making the product, or method of using the product such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously known product, process, or method. It is further noted that the invention does not intend to encompass within the scope of the invention any product, process, or making of the product or method of using the product, which does not meet the written description and enablement requirements of the USPTO (35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph) or the EPO (Article 83 of the EPC), such that Applicants reserve the right and hereby disclose a disclaimer of any previously described product, process of making the product, or method of using the product.

It is noted that in this disclosure and particularly in the claims and/or paragraphs, terms such as “comprises”, “comprised”, “comprising” and the like can have the meaning attributed to it in U.S. Patent law; e.g., they can mean “includes”, “included”, “including”, and the like; and that terms such as “consisting essentially of” and “consists essentially of” have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. Patent law, e.g., they allow for elements not explicitly recited, but exclude elements that are found in the prior art or that affect a basic or novel characteristic of the invention.

These and other embodiments are disclosed or are obvious from and encompassed by, the following Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic model of the CRISPR system. The Cas9 nuclease from Streptococcus pyogenes (yellow) is targeted to genomic DNA by a synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA) consisting of a 20-nt guide sequence (blue) and a scaffold (red). The guide sequence base-pairs with the DNA target (blue), directly upstream of a requisite 5′-NGG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM; magenta), and Cas9 mediates a double-stranded break (DSB) ˜3 bp upstream of the PAM (red triangle).

FIGS. 2A-2F show an exemplary CRISPR system, a possible mechanism of action (FIG. 2A), an example adaptation for expression in eukaryotic cells (FIG. 2B, and results of tests assessing nuclear localization and CRISPR activity (FIG. 2D). FIG. 2C discloses SEQ ID NOS 290 and 291, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 2E discloses SEQ ID NOS 292-294, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 2F discloses SEQ ID NOS 295-299, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 3A-3D show results of an evaluation of SpCas9 specificity for an example target. FIG. 3A discloses SEQ ID NOS 300, 293 and 301-311, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 3C discloses SEQ ID NO: 300. FIGS. 3B and 3D show the results of the evaluation of SpCas9 specificity for the example target.

FIGS. 4A-4G show an exemplary vector system (FIGS. 4A and 4C) and results for its use in directing homologous recombination in eukaryotic cells (FIGS. 4B and 4D). FIG. 4E discloses SEQ ID NO: 312. FIG. 4F discloses SEQ ID NOS 313 and 314, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 4G discloses SEQ ID NOS 315-319, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 5 provides a table of protospacer sequences (SEQ ID NOS 95, 94, 93, 320-325, 97, 96, and 326-330, respectively, in order of appearance) and summarizes modification efficiency results for protospacer targets designed based on exemplary S. pyogenes and S. thermophilus CRISPR systems with corresponding PAMs against loci in human and mouse genomes. Cells were transfected with Cas9 and either pre-crRNA/tracrRNA or chimeric RNA, and analyzed 72 hours after transfection. Percent indels are calculated based on Surveyor assay results from indicated cell lines (N=3 for all protospacer targets, errors are S.E.M., N.D. indicates not detectable using the Surveyor assay, and N.T. indicates not tested in this study).

FIGS. 6A-6C show a comparison of different tracrRNA transcripts for Cas9-mediated gene targeting (FIGS. 6B and 6C. FIG. 6A discloses SEQ ID NOS 331 and 332, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a surveyor nuclease assay for detection of double strand break-induced micro-insertions and -deletions.

FIGS. 8A-8B show exemplary bicistronic expression vectors for expression of CRISPR system elements in eukaryotic cells. FIG. 8A discloses SEQ ID NOS 333-335, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 8B discloses SEQ ID NOS 336, 184, and 185, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 9A-9C show histograms of distances between adjacent S. pyogenes SF370 locus 1 PAM (NGG) (FIG. 9A) and S. thermophilus LMD9 locus 2 PAM (NNAGAAW) (FIG. 9B) in the human genome; and distances for each PAM by chromosome (Chr) (FIG. 9C).

FIGS. 10A-10D show an exemplary CRISPR system (FIG. 10A), an example adaptation for expression in eukaryotic cells (FIG. 10B), and results of tests assessing CRISPR activity. FIG. 10B discloses SEQ ID NOS 337 and 338, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 10C discloses SEQ ID NO: 339.

FIGS. 11A-11C show exemplary manipulations and results (FIG. 11C) of a CRISPR system for targeting of genomic loci in mammalian cells. FIG. 11A discloses SEQ ID NO: 340. FIG. 11B discloses SEQ ID NOS 341-343, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 12A-12B show the results of a Northern blot analysis of crRNA processing in mammalian cells (FIG. 12B). FIG. 12A discloses SEQ ID NO: 344.

FIGS. 13A-13B show an exemplary selection of protospacers in the human PVALB and mouse Th loci. FIG. 13A discloses (SEQ ID NO: 345). FIG. 13B discloses (SEQ ID NO: 346).

FIG. 14 shows example protospacer and corresponding PAM sequence targets of the S. thermophilus CRISPR system in the human EMX1 locus. FIG. 14 discloses SEQ ID NO: 339.

FIG. 15 provides a table of sequences (SEQ ID NOS 347-354, 193-194, and 355-356, respectively, in order of appearance) for primers and probes used for Surveyor, RFLP, genomic sequencing, and Northern blot assays.

FIGS. 16A-16C show exemplary manipulation of a CRISPR system with chimeric RNAs and results of SURVEYOR assays for system activity in eukaryotic cells (FIGS. 16B and 16C. FIG. 16A discloses SEQ ID NO: 357.

FIGS. 17A-17B show two graphical representations of the results of SURVEYOR assays for CRISPR system activity in eukaryotic cells.

FIG. 18 shows an exemplary visualization of some S. pyogenes Cas9 target sites in the human genome using the UCSC genome browser. FIG. 18 discloses SEQ ID NOS 358-436, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 19A-19D show a circular depiction of the phylogenetic analysis revealing five families of Cas9s, including three groups of large Cas9s (˜1400 amino acids) and two of small Cas9s (˜1100 amino acids).

FIGS. 20A-20F show the linear depiction of the phylogenetic analysis revealing five families of Cas9s, including three groups of large Cas9s (˜1400 amino acids) and two of small Cas9s (˜1100 amino acids).

FIGS. 21A-21D show genome editing via homologous recombination. (a) Schematic of SpCas9 nickase, with D10A mutation in the RuvC I catalytic domain. (b) Schematic representing homologous recombination (HR) at the human EMX1 locus using either sense or antisense single stranded oligonucleotides as repair templates. Red arrow above indicates sgRNA cleavage site; PCR primers for genotyping (Tables J and K) are indicated as arrows in right panel. (c) Sequence of region modified by HR. d, SURVEYOR assay for wildtype (wt) and nickase (D10A) SpCas9-mediated indels at the EMX1 target 1 locus (n=3). Arrows indicate positions of expected fragment sizes. FIG. 21C discloses SEQ ID NOS 437-439, 437, 440, and 439, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 22A-22B show single vector designs for SpCas9. FIG. 22A discloses SEQ ID NOS 441-443, respectively, in order of appearance. FIG. 22B discloses SEQ ID NO: 444.

FIG. 23 shows a graph representing the length distribution of Cas9 orthologs.

FIGS. 24A-24M show sequences where the mutation points are located within the SpCas9 gene. FIG. 24A-M discloses the nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NO: 445 and the amino acid sequence as SEQ ID NO: 446.

FIG. 25A shows the Conditional Cas9, Rosa26 targeting vector map.

FIG. 25B shows the Constitutive Cas9, Rosa26 targeting vector map.

FIG. 26 shows a schematic of the important elements in the Constitutive and Conditional Cas9 constructs.

FIG. 27 shows delivery and in vivo mouse brain Cas9 expression data.

FIGS. 28A-28C show RNA delivery of Cas9 and chimeric RNA into cells (A) Delivery of a GFP reporter as either DNA or mRNA into Neuro-2A cells. (B) Delivery of Cas9 and chimeric RNA against the Icam2 gene as RNA results in cutting for one of two spacers tested. (C) Delivery of Cas9 and chimeric RNA against the F7 gene as RNA results in cutting for one of two spacers tested.

FIG. 29 shows how DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair promotes gene editing. In the error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, the ends of a DSB are processed by endogenous DNA repair machineries and rejoined together, which can result in random insertion/deletion (indel) mutations at the site of junction. Indel mutations occurring within the coding region of a gene can result in frame-shift and a premature stop codon, leading to gene knockout. Alternatively, a repair template in the form of a plasmid or single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODN) can be supplied to leverage the homology-directed repair (HDR) pathway, which allows high fidelity and precise editing.

FIGS. 30A-30C show anticipated results for HDR in HEK and HUES9 cells. (a) Either a targeting plasmid or an ssODN (sense or antisense) with homology arms can be used to edit the sequence at a target genomic locus cleaved by Cas9 (red triangle). To assay the efficiency of HDR, Applicants introduced a HindIII site (red bar) into the target locus, which was PCR-amplified with primers that anneal outside of the region of homology. Digestion of the PCR product with HindIII reveals the occurrence of HDR events. (b) ssODNs, oriented in either the sense or the antisense (s or a) direction relative to the locus of interest, can be used in combination with Cas9 to achieve efficient HDR-mediated editing at the target locus. A minimal homology region of 40 bp, and preferably 90 bp, is recommended on either side of the modification (red bar). (c) Example of the effect of ssODNs on HDR in the EMX1 locus is shown using both wild-type Cas9 and Cas9 nickase (D10A). Each ssODN contains homology arms of 90 bp flanking a 12-bp insertion of two restriction sites. FIG. 30B discloses SEQ ID NOS 437-439, 437, 440, and 439, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 31A-31C show the repair strategy for Cystic Fibrosis delta F508 mutation. FIG. 31A discloses the nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NO: 447 and the amino acid sequence as 448. FIG. 31B discloses SEQ ID NO: 357. FIG. 31C discloses the nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NO: 449 and the amino acid sequence as SEQ ID NO: 450.

FIGS. 32A-32B (a) show a schematic of the GAA repeat expansion in FXN intron 1 and (b) shows a schematic of the strategy adopted to excise the GAA expansion region using the CRISPR/Cas system.

FIG. 33 shows a screen for efficient SpCas9 mediated targeting of Tet1-3 and Dnmt1, 3a and 3b gene loci. Surveyor assay on DNA from transfected N2A cells demonstrates efficient DNA cleavage by using different gRNAs.

FIG. 34 shows a strategy of multiplex genome targeting using a 2-vector system in an AAV1/2 delivery system. Tet1-3 and Dnmt1, 3a and 3b gRNA under the control of the U6 promoter. GFP-KASH under the control of the human synapsin promoter. Restriction sides shows simple gRNA replacement strategy by subcloning. HA-tagged SpCas9 flanked by two nuclear localization signals (NLS) is shown. Both vectors are delivered into the brain by AAV1/2 virus in a 1:1 ratio.

FIG. 35 shows verification of multiplex DNMT targeting vector #1 functionality using Surveyor assay. N2A cells were co-transfected with the DNMT targeting vector #1 (+) and the SpCas9 encoding vector for testing SpCas9 mediated cleavage of DNMTs genes family loci. gRNA only (−) is negative control. Cells were harvested for DNA purification and downstream processing 48 h after transfection.

FIG. 36 shows verification of multiplex DNMT targeting vector #2 functionality using Surveyor assay. N2A cells were co-transfected with the DNMT targeting vector #1 (+) and the SpCas9 encoding vector for testing SpCas9 mediated cleavage of DNMTs genes family loci. gRNA only (−) is negative control. Cells were harvested for DNA purification and downstream processing 48 h after transfection.

FIG. 37 shows schematic overview of short promoters and short polyA versions used for HA-SpCas9 expression in vivo. Sizes of the encoding region from L-ITR to R-ITR are shown on the right.

FIG. 38 shows schematic overview of short promoters and short polyA versions used for HA-SaCas9 expression in vivo. Sizes of the encoding region from L-ITR to R-ITR are shown on the right.

FIG. 39 shows expression of SpCas9 and SaCas9 in N2A cells. Representative Western blot of HA-tagged SpCas9 and SaCas9 versions under the control of different short promoters and with or short polyA (spA) sequences. Tubulin is loading control. mCherry (mCh) is a transfection control. Cells were harvested and further processed for Western blotting 48 h after transfection.

FIG. 40 shows screen for efficient SaCas9 mediated targeting of Tet3 gene locus. Surveyor assay on DNA from transfected N2A cells demonstrates efficient DNA cleavage by using different gRNAs with NNGGGT PUM sequence. GFP transfected cells and cells expressing only SaCas9 are controls.

FIG. 41 shows expression of HA-SaCas9 in the mouse brain. Animals were injected into dentate gyri with virus driving expression of HA-SaCas9 under the control of human Synapsin promoter. Animals were sacrificed 2 weeks after surgery. HA tag was detected using rabbit monoclonal antibody C29F4 (Cell Signaling). Cell nuclei stained in blue with DAPI stain.

FIG. 42 shows expression of SpCas9 and SaCas9 in cortical primary neurons in culture 7 days after transduction. Representative Western blot of HA-tagged SpCas9 and SaCas9 versions under the control of different promoters and with bgh or short polyA (spA) sequences. Tubulin is loading control.

FIG. 43 shows LIVE/DEAD stain of primary cortical neurons 7 days after transduction with AAV1 particles carrying SpCas9 with different promoters and multiplex gRNAs constructs (example shown on the last panel for DNMTs). Neurons after AAV transduction were compared with control untransduced neurons. Red nuclei indicate permeabilized, dead cells (second line of panels). Live cells are marked in green color (third line of panels).

FIG. 44 shows LIVE/DEAD stain of primary cortical neurons 7 days after transduction with AAV1 particles carrying SaCas9 with different promoters. Red nuclei indicate permeabilized, dead cells (second line of panels). Live cells are marked in green color (third line of panels).

FIG. 45 shows comparison of morphology of neurons after transduction with AAV1 virus carrying SpCas9 and gRNA multiplexes for TETs and DNMTs genes loci. Neurons without transduction are shown as a control.

FIG. 46 shows verification of multiplex DNMT targeting vector #1 functionality using Surveyor assay in primary cortical neurons. Cells were co-transduced with the DNMT targeting vector #1 and the SpCas9 viruses with different promoters for testing SpCas9 mediated cleavage of DNMTs genes family loci.

FIG. 47 shows in vivo efficiency of SpCas9 cleavage in the brain. Mice were injected with AAV1/2 virus carrying gRNA multiplex targeting DNMT family genes loci together with SpCas9 viruses under control of 2 different promoters: mouse Mecp2 and rat Map1b. Two weeks after injection brain tissue was extracted and nuclei were prepped and sorted using FACS, based on the GFP expression driven by Synapsin promoter from gRNA multiplex construct. After gDNA extraction Surveyor assay was run. + indicates GFP positive nuclei and -control, GFP-negative nuclei from the same animal. Numbers on the gel indicate assessed SpCas9 efficiency.

FIG. 48 shows purification of GFP-KASH labeled cell nuclei from hippocampal neurons. The outer nuclear membrane (ONM) of the cell nuclear membrane is tagged with a fusion of GFP and the KASH protein transmembrane domain. Strong GFP expression in the brain after one week of stereotactic surgery and AAV1/2 injection. Density gradient centrifugation step to purify cell nuclei from intact brain. Purified nuclei are shown. Chromatin stain by Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain is shown in red, GFP labeled nuclei are green. Representative FACS profile of GFP+ and GFP− cell nuclei (Magenta: Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain, Green: GFP).

FIG. 49 shows efficiency of SpCas9 cleavage in the mouse brain. Mice were injected with AAV1/2 virus carrying gRNA multiplex targeting TET family genes loci together with SpCas9 viruses under control of 2 different promoters: mouse Mecp2 and rat Map1b. Three weeks after injection brain tissue was extracted, nuclei were prepped and sorted using FACS, based on the GFP expression driven by Synapsin promoter from gRNA multiplex construct. After gDNA extraction Surveyor assay was run. + indicates GFP positive nuclei and − control, GFP-negative nuclei from the same animal. Numbers on the gel indicate assessed SpCas9 efficiency.

FIG. 50 shows GFP-KASH expression in cortical neurons in culture. Neurons were transduced with AAV1 virus carrying gRNA multiplex constructs targeting TET genes loci. The strongest signal localize around cells nuclei due to KASH domain localization.

FIG. 51 shows (top) a list of spacing (as indicated by the pattern of arrangement for two PAM sequences) between pairs of guide RNAs (SEQ ID NOS 451-467, respectively, in order of appearance). Only guide RNA pairs satisfying patterns 1, 2, 3, 4 exhibited indels when used with SpCas9(D10A) nickase. (bottom) Gel images showing that combination of SpCas9(D10A) with pairs of guide RNA satisfying patterns 1, 2, 3, 4 led to the formation of indels in the target site.

FIG. 52 shows a list of U6 reverse primer sequences (SEQ ID NOS 468-514 and 470, respectively, in order of appearance) used to generate U6-guide RNA expression cassettes. Each primer needs to be paired with the U6 forward primer “gcactgagggcctatttcccatgattc” (SEQ ID NO: 1) to generate amplicons containing U6 and the desired guide RNA.

FIG. 53 shows a Genomic sequence map from the human Emx1 locus showing the locations of the 24 patterns listed in FIG. 33. FIG. 53 discloses the nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NO: 515 and the amino acid sequences as SEQ ID NOS 516-519, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 54 shows on (right) a gel image indicating the formation of indels at the target site when variable 5′ overhangs are present after cleavage by the Cas9 nickase targeted by different pairs of guide RNAs. on (left) a table indicating the lane numbers of the gel on the right and various parameters including identifying the guide RNA pairs used and the length of the 5′ overhang present following cleavage by the Cas9 nickase.

FIG. 55 shows a Genomic sequence map from the human Emx1 locus showing the locations of the different pairs of guide RNAs that result in the gel patterns of FIG. 54 (right) and which are further described in Example 35. FIG. 55 discloses the nucleotide sequence as SEQ ID NO: 515 and the amino acid sequences as SEQ ID NOS 516-519, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 56A-56K show CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of Mecp2 in primary cortical neurons. (A) AAV SpCas9 and sgRNA expression vectors. The sgRNA vector contains encoding sequence of the GFP-KASH fusion protein for identification of transduced neurons. (B) Neurons in culture co-transduced with Cas9 and sgRNA vectors showing expression of HA-tagged Cas9 (HA-Cas9) and GFP-KASH. Nuclei labeled with DAPI. Scale bar, 20 μm. (C) Co-infection efficiency of GFP-KASH⁺ (n=635) and HA-Cas9 (n=659) in primary cortical neurons. (D) Graphical representation of mouse Mecp2 locus showing Cas9 target location; sgRNA indicated in blue. PAM sequence marked in purple. (E) SURVEYOR™ assay gel showing modification of Mecp2 locus in cortical neurons. (F) Western blot of MCCP2 protein levels after CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus and quantification of MeCP2 protein levels (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=7). (G) Reduced complexity of dendritic tree in neurons after CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus. Scale bar, 20 μm. (H) Dendritic tree morphology assessed with number of dendritic ends and (I) Sholl analysis (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=40). (J) Changes in dendritic spines morphology in neurons targeted with Cas9 and Mecp2 sgRNA. Scale bar, 10 μm. (K) Spine density quantification (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=40). FIG. 56D discloses SEQ ID NOS 520-521, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 57A-57I show CRISPR-Cas9 system delivery and targeting of Mecp2 in the mouse brain. (A) Strategy of cell nuclei purification of CRISPR-Cas9 targeted cells from the mouse brain. (B) Expression of HA-Cas9 and GFP-KASH (sgRNA) in the dorsal dentate gyrus (DG) of mouse hippocampus. Scale bar, 100 μm. (C) Quantification of cells efficiently targeted by the two vector Cas9-CRISPR system. (D) SURVEYOR™ assay gel showing modification of Mecp2 locus 2 weeks after AAV delivery in DG region. FACS sorted GFP-KASH positive cells show higher level of Mecp2 locus modification. (E) Western blot analysis of MCCP2 protein expression in the targeted brain region and quantification of MeCP2 protein levels in dorsal DG (t-test, **p<0.001, n=4). (F) Images of the dorsal DG region, 2 weeks after CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus. Scale bar, 150 μm. (G) Quantification of population of MeCP2 positive cells in the targeted brain region in compare to control collateral site (t-test, ****p<0.0001, n=290 and 249 cells, respectively). (H) Examples of Golgi-Cox stain showing morphology of dendritic spines of granular cells in the dorsal DG one week after CRISPR-Cas9 delivery. Scale bar, 10 μm. (I) Quantification of dendritic spine density in the dorsal DG region (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=20).

FIGS. 58A-58F show simultaneous, multiplex gene editing in the mouse brain. (A) Schematic illustration of CRISPR-Cas9 system designed for multiplex genome targeting. (B) Graphical representation of targeted DNMT mouse loci. Guide RNAs are indicated in blue. PAM sequences are marked in purple. (C) Next-generation sequencing of on-target modification rate for DNMT family genes in FACS sorted nuclei from dentate gyrus after CRISPR-Cas9 delivery. MLE (maximum-likelihood estimator) scores are shown. (D) Western blot analysis for Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 proteins after in vivo delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 system targeting DNMT family genes (top). Western blot quantification of Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 protein levels in DG after in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 targeting (bottom; 1-test, **p<0.001, *p<0.05, Dnmt3a: n=7; Dnmt1: n=5). (E, F) Contextual learning deficits, 8 weeks after targeting of DNMT genes using SPR-Cas9 in the DG region of hippocampus, tested in training (E) and altered context (F) (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=18). FIG. 58B discloses SEQ ID NOS 522-527, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 59A-59E show cloning and expression of HA-tagged SpCas9 (HA-Cas9) for AAV packaging. (A) Schematic overview of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Single guide RNA (sgRNA) mediated targeting of Cas9 results in the double-strand brake (DSB) of the targeted gene locus. Non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) mechanism results in the indel mutations of the targeted genomic locus. (B) Schematic overview of different cloning strategies to minimize Cas9 expression cassette size using short rat Map1b promotor (rMap1b), a truncated version of the mouse Mecp2 promoter (sMecp2) and a short polyA motif (spA). (C) Western blot analysis of primary cortical neuron culture expressing Cas9 using different Cas9 expression cassettes. (D) Mecp2 promoter drives Cas9 (red) expression in neurons (Map1b, NeuN; arrows) but not in astroglia (GFAP, arrowheads). Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bars, 20 μm. (E) Cells were stained with LIFE/DEAD® kit 7 days after virus delivery. Quantification of DAPI⁺ and dead (DEAD⁺) cells. (ITR—inverted terminal repeat; HA—hemagglutinin tag; NLS—nuclear localization signal; spA—synthetic polyadenylation signal; U6—PoIIII promoter; sgRNA—single guide RNA; hSyn—human synapsin 1 promoter; GFP—green fluorescent protein; KASH—Klarsicht, ANC1, Syne Homology nuclear transmembrane domain; bGH pA—bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal; WPRE—Woodchuck Hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element).

FIG. 60A-60B shows targeting of Mecp2 in Neuro-2a cells. (A) Mecp2 targeting sequences and corresponding protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM). (B) Evaluation of 6 Mecp2 sgRNAs co-transfected with Cas9 into Neuro-2a cells. Locus modification efficiencies were analyzed 48 h after transfection using SURVEYOR™ assay. FIG. 60A discloses SEQ ID NOS 528-533, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIG. 61 shows CRISPR-Cas9 delivery in primary cortical neurons. Immunofluorescent staining of MeCP2 (red) in cultured neurons 7 days after AAV-CRISPR transduction (green, GFP-KASH). Reduced MeCP2 immunofluorescence in cells transduced by Mecp2-targeting AAV-CRISPR (middle panel) is shown. Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bar, 20 μm.

FIGS. 62A-62C show GFP-labeling of targeted cell nuclei. (A) Schematic overview of GFP-labeling. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to the nuclear transmembrane KASH domain and integration of GFP-KASH to the outer nuclear membrane is illustrated (B) Human synapsin promoter driven expression of GFP-KASH, 4 weeks after viral delivery into the dentate gyrus. Hematoxylin/Eosin staining (top) revealed no morphological abnormalities. Immunofluorescence analysis showing normal histomorphology (NeuN in red, middle panel) in GFP-KASH expressing hippocampus (middle, green) and no signs of astrogliosis (GFAP in red, bottom panel). Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bar, 200 μm. (C) By using cell-type specific promoters, GFP-KASH can be targeted to different cell-types. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter drives GFP-KASH (green) expression in astroglia cells (red) in the mouse hippocampus. Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Inset shows higher magnification. Scale bar, 50 μm. (KASH—Klarsicht, ANC1, Syne Homology nuclear transmembrane domain) (ONM—outer nuclear membrane; INM—inner nuclear membrane).

FIGS. 63A-63B show multiplex genome targeting of DNMT family members in vitro. (A) Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b targeting sequences and corresponding protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM). (B) SURVEYOR® nuclease assay analysis of Neuro-2a cells 48 hours after transfection with Cas9 and DNMT 3×sgRNA vector targeting Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b loci. Efficient genome editing of all three targeted genes is shown. FIG. 63A discloses SEQ ID NOS 534-536, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 64A-64C show next generation sequencing of targeted Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b loci. An Example of sequencing results of mutated Dnmt3a (A) (SEQ ID NOS 537-538, 2, 539-543, 541, and 544-546, respectively, in order of appearance), Dnmt1 (B) (SEQ ID NOS 547-548, 3, 549-550, 549, 551-552, 551, 549, and 553-554, respectively, in order of appearance) and Dnmt3b (C) (SEQ ID NOS 536, 555, 4, and 556-561, respectively, in order of appearance) loci after in vivo delivery of Cas9 and DNMT 3×sgRNA into the mouse dentate gyrus. Green: wild-type sequence, red dashes: deleted bases, red bases: insertion or mutations. Red arrowheads indicate CRISPR-Cas9 cutting site.

FIG. 65A shows that guide (target) 1 induced the highest percentage of indels in ApoB.

FIG. 65B shows the results of a Surveyor nuclease gel assay for indel formation efficiency, 4 weeks post-injection.

FIG. 66 shows oil red staining to detect hepatic lipid accumulation phenotype in vivo following AAV-Cas9-sgRNA delivery. The scale bar in each square represents 20 micrometres.

FIG. 67 shows that 21 ntds/base pairs (bp), represented by the grey bars is the optimal spacer length, at least compared to 20 or 22 base pairs (represented by the black and the white bars, respectively) across a range of targets and within two different genes (AAVS1 and EMX1).

FIG. 68 shows whether a guide sequence could be inserted into the Cas9 intronic sequence

FIG. 69 shows that the full-length H1 promoter (grey bar) is still weaker than U6 promoter (black bar), as the U6 shows increased indel percentage formation for each target tested.

FIG. 70 shows that short H1 promoter is weaker than the full-length H1

FIG. 71 shows distance between the 5′ ends of two guide sequences in a construct measured in relation to the cleavage efficiency of the D10A SaCAs9 double nickase.

FIGS. 72A-72H show CRISPR-Cas9 system delivery and targeting of Mecp2 locus in the mouse brain. (a) AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide(Mecp2) expression vectors. The sgRNA vector contains encoding sequence of the GFP-KASH fusion protein for identification of transduced neurons. (b) Expression of HA-Cas9 and GFP-KASH in the dorsal dentate gyrus (DG) of mouse hippocampus. Scale bar, 100 μm. (c) Quantification of cells efficiently targeted by the dual-vector Cas9-CRISPR system. (d) Graphical representation of the mouse Mecp2 locus showing Cas9 target location; sgRNA indicated in blue. PAM sequence marked in purple. Representative mutation patterns detected by sequencing of Mecp2 locus were shown below: green—wild-type sequence; red dashes—deleted bases; red bases: insertion or mutations; red arrowhead indicates CRISPR-Cas9 cutting site. (e) SURVEYOR™ assay gel showing modification of the Mecp2 locus, 2 weeks after AAV delivery in the DG region. (f) Western blot analysis of MeCP2 protein expression in the targeted brain region and quantification of MeCP2 protein levels in dorsal DG (t-test, **p<0.001, n=4 from 3 animals, error bars: s.e.m.). (g) Images of the dorsal DG region, 2 weeks after CRISPR-Cas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus. Scale bar, 150 μm. (h) Quantification of MeCP2 positive cells population within all detected cells (DAPI staining) in the targeted brain region in compare to control collateral site (t-test, ****p<0.0001, n=290 and 249 cells from 2 animals, respectively; error bars: s.e.m). (ITR—inverted terminal repeat; HA—hemagglutinin tag; NLS—nuclear localization signal; spA—synthetic polyadenylation signal; U6—PolIII promoter; sgRNA—single guide RNA; hSyn—human synapsin 1 promoter; GFP—green fluorescent protein; KASH—Klarsicht, ANC1, Syne Homology nuclear transmembrane domain; bGH pA—bovine growth hormone polyadenylatio signal; WPRE—Woodchuck Hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element). FIG. 72D discloses SEQ ID NOS 520-521, 532, and 562-573, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 73A-73B show analysis of gene expression in Cas9-mediated MeCP2 knockdown neurons. (a) Strategy for cell nuclei purification of CRISPR-Cas9 targeted cells from the mouse brain. (b) Hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes (t-test, p<0.01, n=19 populations of sorted nuclei from 8 animals) detected by RNAseq. Relative log 2(TPM+1) expression levels of genes are normalized for each row and displayed in red-blue color scale. Each column represents a population of targeted 100 neuronal nuclei FACS sorted from the isolated, dentate gyrus population of cells, either from control or Mecp2 sgRNA transduced animals, as indicated.

FIGS. 74A-74E show cell-autonomous defects in cellular response properties of neurons after CRISPR-mediated MeCP2 knockdown. (a) Cartoon showing in vivo experiment configuration from mouse visual cortex and visual stimulation parameter. GFP⁺ neuron is shown. Scale bar, 20 μm. (b) Cartoon showing recording configuration in layer 2/3 excitatory neurons that receive both contra- and ipsilateral eye specific input. Genome modified GFP⁺ cells are in green whereas unmodified cells are in gray. (c) Normalized spike shape shows regular spiking excitatory neurons. (d, e) Average OSI (d) and evoked FR (e) were measured from GFP⁺ cells expressing Mecp2 and control sgRNA, respectively (t-test, *p<0.05; numbers in graph indicate numbers of recorded cells; n=2-3 animals; error bars: s.e.m).

FIGS. 75A-75F show simultaneous, multiplex gene editing in the mouse brain. (a) Schematic illustration of CRISPR-Cas9 system designed for multiplex genome targeting. (b) Graphical representation of targeted DNMT mouse loci. Guide RNAs are indicated in blue. PAM sequences are marked in purple. (c) SURVEYOR™ assay gel showing modification of DNMTs loci in FACS sorted GFP-KASH positive cells, 4 weeks after AAV delivery in the DG region. (d) Deep sequencing-based analysis of DNMTs loci modification in single cells, showing co-occurrence of modification in multiple loci. (e) Western blot analysis for Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 proteins after in vivo delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 system targeting DNMT family genes (top). Western blot quantification of Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 protein levels in DG after in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 targeting (bottom; t-test, **p<0.001, *p<0.05, Dnmt3a: n=7; Dnmt1: n=5 from 5 animals; error bars: s.e.m). (f) Contextual learning deficits, 8 weeks after targeting of DNMT genes using SpCas9 in the DG region of hippocampus, tested in training and altered context (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=18 animals, 2 independent experiments; error bars: s.e.m). FIG. 75B discloses SEQ ID NOS 522-527, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 76A-76F show cloning and expression of HA-tagged SpCas9 (HA-SpCas9) for AAV packaging. (a) Schematic overview of different cloning strategies to minimize SpCas9 expression cassette size using short rat Map1b promotor (pMap1b), a truncated version of the mouse Mecp2 promoter (pMecp2) and a short polyA motif (spA). (b) Western blot analysis of primary cortical neuron culture expressing HA-SpCas9 using different SpCas9 expression cassettes. (c) Mecp2 promoter drives HA-SpCas9 (red) expression in neurons (Map1b, NeuN; arrows) but not in astroglia (GFAP, arrowheads). Co-expression of HA-SpCas9 with GFP-KASH is shown (bottom). Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bars, 20 μm. (d) Schematic overview of GFP-labeling. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) fused to the nuclear transmembrane KASH domain and integration of GFP-KASH to the outer nuclear membrane is illustrated. (e) Co-infection efficiency calculation, showing populations of cell expressing both HA-SpCas9 and GFP-KASH (n=973 neurons from 3 cultures; error bars: s.e.m). (f) Cells were stained with LIFE/DEAD⁻ kit 7 days after virus delivery. Quantification of DAPI⁺ and dead (DEAD⁺) cells (control n=518 DAPI⁺ nuclei; SpCas9/GFP-KASH n=1003 DAPI⁺ nuclei from 2 cultures; error bars: s.e.m). (ITR—inverted terminal repeat; HA—hemagglutinin tag; NLS—nuclear localization signal; spA—synthetic polyadenylation signal; U6—PolIII promoter; sgRNA—single guide RNA; hSyn—human synapsin 1 promoter; GFP—green fluorescent protein; KASH—Klarsicht, ANC1, Syne Homology nuclear transmembrane domain; bGH pA—bovine growth hormone polyadenylation signal; WPRE—Woodchuck Hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element).

FIGS. 77A-77B show targeting of Mecp2 in Neuro-2a cells. (a) Mecp2 targeting sequences and corresponding protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM). (b) Evaluation of 6 Mecp2 sgRNAs co-transfected with SpCas9 into Neuro-2a cells. Locus modification efficiencies were analyzed 48 h after transfection using SURVEYOR™ assay. FIG. 77A discloses SEQ ID NOS 528-533, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 78A-78D show CRISPR-SpCas9 targeting of Mecp2 in primary cortical neurons. (a) Immunofluorescent staining of MeCP2 (red) in cultured neurons 7 days after AAV-CRISPR transduction (green, GFP-KASH). Nuclei were labeled with DAPI (blue). Scale bar, 20 μm. (b) Evaluation of Mecp2 locus targeting using SpCas9 or dSpCas9, together with Mecp2 sgRNA or control (targeting bacterial lacZ gene) sgRNA, using SURVEYOR™ assay gel. (c) Quantification of MeCP2 positive nuclei in targeted population of neurons (GFP⁺). (d) Western blot of MeCP2 protein levels after CRISPR-SpCas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus and quantification of MeCP2 protein levels (t-test, **p<0.001, n=5 from 3 cultures, error bars: s.e.m).

FIGS. 79A-79E show morphological changes in dendritic tree of neurons after SpCas9-mediated MeCP2 knockdown in vitro. (a) Reduced complexity of dendritic tree in neurons after CRISPR-SpCas9 targeting of Mecp2 locus. Scale bar, 20 μm. (b) Changes in dendritic spines morphology in neurons targeted with SpCas9 and Mecp2 sgRNA. Scale bar, 10 μm. Morphology of cells was visualized with co-transfection with mCherry construct. Cells for morphology analysis were chosen based on the result of Mecp2 staining. (c) Dendritic tree morphology assessed with number of dendritic ends and (d) Sholl analysis (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=40 from 2 cultures). (e) Spine density quantification (t-test, ***p<0.0001, n=40 from 2 cultures, error bars: s.e.m).

FIG. 80 shows RNAseq of neuronal nuclei from control animals and SpCas9-mediated Mecp2 knockdown. Box plot presenting the number of detected genes across the RNA-seq libraries (19 libraries each of 100 nuclei taken from control sgRNA or Mecp2 sgRNA transduced nuclei; n=4 animals/group) per quantile of expression level. All genes are divided to 10 quantiles by their mean log 2(TPM+1) expression level, then for each quantile the number of genes that are detected (log 2(TPM+1)>2) was counted in each sample.

FIGS. 81A-81B show multiplex genome targeting of DNMT family members in vitro. (a) Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b targeting sequences and corresponding protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM). (b) SURVEYOR™ nuclease assay analysis of Neuro-2a cells 48 hours after transfection with SpCas9 and DNMT 3×sgRNA vector targeting Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b loci. Efficient genome editing of all three targeted genes is shown. FIG. 81A discloses SEQ ID NOS 534-536, respectively, in order of appearance.

FIGS. 82A-82C show next generation sequencing of targeted Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b loci. Examples of sequencing results of mutated Dnmt3a (a) (SEQ ID NOS 537-538, 2, 539-543, 541, and 544-546, respectively, in order of appearance), Dnmt1 (b) (SEQ ID NOS 547-548, 3, 549-550, 549, 551-552, 551, 549, and 553-554, respectively, in order of appearance) and Dnmt3b (c) (SEQ ID NOS 536, 555, 4, and 556-561, respectively, in order of appearance) loci after in vivo delivery of SpCas9 and DNMT 3×sgRNA into the mouse dentate gyrus. Green: wild-type sequence, red dashes: deleted bases, red bases: insertion or mutations. Red arrowheads indicate CRISPR-SpCas9 cutting site. The full sequences used in this figure are provide as SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, and SEQ ID NO: 4 for the Dnmt3a, the Dnmt1 and the Dnmt3b loci, respectively. They are: SEQ ID NO: 2 (Dnmt3a): CCT CCG TGT CAG CGA CCC ATG CCA A, SEQ ID NO: 3 (Dnmt1): CCA GCG TCG AAC AGC TCC AGC CCG and SEQ ID NO: 4 (Dnmt3b) AGA GGG TGC CAG CGG GTA TAT GAG G

FIG. 83 shows SaCas9 protein sequences are codon optimized (“reopt”) and have their ubiquitination signals removed (“reopt(Ub)”) for enhanced expression. Protein blots against FLAG- and HA-tagged SaCas9 show approximately 2-fold increased expression of optimized SaCas9 (reopt, #2-4) relative to the original constructs ( #0, 5, and 6), and similar level as SpCas9 (SpCas9 330, top bar left panel; SpCas9 414, top bar right panel). The addition of 3×HA tagging (right panel #6) improves detection signal over the 1×HA tag (right panel #5) by ˜2 fold.

FIG. 84 shows indel efficiency using sgRNAs transcribed by U6 promoter as-is (grey, left hand bar for each number of nts) or appending a “G” (blue, right hand bar for each number of nts and with a thicker border) to 5′-most position of sgRNA for SaCas9. Total sgRNA spacer lengths (including G) are indicated on the x-axis. Graph represents with aggregated data from 5 sgRNAs.

FIG. 85 shows optimization of sgRNA spacer length (x axis). Graphs show indel formation with different lengths of sgRNA spacer in HEK (left) and Hepa (right) cells.

The figures herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With respect to general information on CRISPR-Cas Systems: Reference is made to U.S. provisional patent applications 61/758,468; 61/802,174; 61/806,375; 61/814,263; 61/819,803 and 61/828,130, filed on Jan. 30, 2013; Mar. 15, 2013; Mar. 28, 2013; Apr. 20, 2013; May 6, 2013 and May 28, 2013 respectively. Reference is also made to U.S. provisional patent application 61/836,123, filed on Jun. 17, 2013. Reference is also made to U.S. provisional patent applications 61/736,527 and 61/748,427, filed on Dec. 12, 2012 and Jan. 2, 2013, respectively. Reference is also made to U.S. provisional patent application 61/791,409, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. Reference is also made to U.S. provisional patent application 61/799,800, filed Mar. 15, 2013. Reference is also made to U.S. provisional patent applications 61/835,931, 61/835,936, 61/836,127, 61/836,101, 61/836,080 and 61/835,973, each filed Jun. 17, 2013. Further reference is made to U.S. provisional patent applications 61/862,468 and 61/862,355, filed on Aug. 5, 2013; 61/871,301 filed on Aug. 28, 2013; 61/960,777 filed on Sep. 25, 2013 and 61/961,980 filed on Oct. 28, 2013. Each of these applications, and all documents cited therein or during their prosecution (“appln cited documents”) and all documents cited or referenced in the appln cited documents, together with any instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned therein or in any document therein and incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the invention. All documents (e.g., these applications and the appln cited documents) are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Also with respect to general information on CRISPR-Cas Systems, mention is made of:

-   -   Multiplex genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas systems. Cong, L.,         Ran, F. A., Cox, D., Lin, S., Barretto, R., Habib, N., Hsu, P.         D., Wu, X., Jiang, W., Marraffini, L. A., & Zhang, F. Science         February 15; 339(6121):819-23 (2013);     -   RNA-guided editing of bacterial genomes using CRISPR-Cas         systems. Jiang W., Bikard D., Cox D., Zhang F, Marraffini L A.         Nat Biotechnol March; 31(3):233-9 (2013);     -   One-Step Generation of Mice Carrying Mutations in Multiple Genes         by CRISPR/Cas-Mediated Genome Engineering. Wang H., Yang H.,         Shivalila C S., Dawlaty M M., Cheng A W., Zhang F., Jaenisch R.         Cell May 9; 153(4):910-8 (2013);     -   Optical control of mammalian endogenous transcription and         epigenetic states. Konermann S, Brigham M D, Trevino A E, Hsu P         D, Heidenreich M, Cong L, Platt R J, Scott D A, Church G M,         Zhang F. Nature. 2013 Aug. 22; 500(7463):472-6. doi:         10.1038/Nature12466. Epub 2013 Aug. 23;     -   Double Nicking by RNA-Guided CRISPR Cas9for Enhanced Genome         Editing Specificity. Ran, F A., Hsu, P D., Lin, C Y.,         Gootenberg, J S., Konermann, S., Trevino, A E., Scott, D A.,         Inoue, A., Matoba, S., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, F. Cell August 28.         pii: S0092-8674(13)01015-5. (2013);     -   DNA targeting specificity of RNA-guided Cas9 nucleases. Hsu, P.,         Scott, D., Weinstein, J., Ran, F A., Konermann, S., Agarwala,         V., Li, Y., Fine, E., Wu, X., Shalem, O., Cradick, T J.,         Marraffini, L A., Bao, G., & Zhang, F. Nat Biotechnol         doi:10.1038/nbt.2647 (2013);     -   Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Ran, F A., Hsu,         P D., Wright, J., Agarwala, V., Scott, D A., Zhang, F. Nature         Protocols November; 8(11):2281-308. (2013);     -   Genome-Scale CRISPR-Cas9 Knockout Screening in Human Cells.         Shalem, O., Sanjana, N E., Hartenian, E., Shi, X., Scott, D A.,         Mikkelson, T., Heckl, D., Ebert, B L., Root, D E., Doench, J G.,         Zhang, F. Science December 12. (2013). [Epub ahead of print];     -   Crystal structure of cas9 in complex with guide RNA and target         DNA. Nishimasu, H., Ran, F A., Hsu, P D., Konermann, S.,         Shehata, S I., Dohmae, N., Ishitani, R., Zhang, F., Nureki, O.         Cell February 27. (2014). 156(5):935-49;     -   Genome-wide binding of the CRISPR endonuclease Cas9 in mammalian         cells. Wu X., Scott D A., Kriz A J., Chiu A C., Hsu P D., Dadon         D B., Cheng A W., Trevino A E., Konermann S., Chen S., Jaenisch         R., Zhang F., Sharp P A. Nat Biotechnol. (2014) Apr. 20. doi:         10.1038/nbt.2889, and     -   Development and Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 for Genome         Engineering, Hsu et al, Cell 157, 1262-1278 (Jun. 5, 2014) (Hsu         2014),         each of which is incorporated herein by reference, and discussed         briefly below:     -   Cong et al. engineered type II CRISPR/Cas systems for use in         eukaryotic cells based on both Streptococcus thermophilus Cas9         and also Streptoccocus pyogenes Cas9 and demonstrated that Cas9         nucleases can be directed by short RNAs to induce precise         cleavage of DNA in human and mouse cells. Their study further         showed that Cas9 as converted into a nicking enzyme can be used         to facilitate homology-directed repair in eukaryotic cells with         minimal mutagenic activity. Additionally, their study         demonstrated that multiple guide sequences can be encoded into a         single CRISPR array to enable simultaneous editing of several at         endogenous genomic loci sites within the mammalian genome,         demonstrating easy programmability and wide applicability of the         RNA-guided nuclease technology. This ability to use RNA to         program sequence specific DNA cleavage in cells defined a new         class of genome engineering tools. These studies further showed         that other CRISPR loci are likely to be transplantable into         mammalian cells and can also mediate mammalian genome cleavage.         Importantly, it can be envisaged that several aspects of the         CRISPR/Cas system can be further improved to increase its         efficiency and versatility.     -   Jiang et al. used the clustered, regularly interspaced, short         palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated Cas9 endonuclease         complexed with dual-RNAs to introduce precise mutations in the         genomes of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. The         approach relied on dual-RNA:Cas9-directed cleavage at the         targeted genomic site to kill unmutated cells and circumvents         the need for selectable markers or counter-selection systems.         The study reported reprogramming dual-RNA:Cas9 specificity by         changing the sequence of short CRISPR RNA (crRNA) to make         single- and multinucleotide changes carried on editing         templates. The study showed that simultaneous use of two crRNAs         enabled multiplex mutagenesis. Furthermore, when the approach         was used in combination with recombineering, in S. pneumoniae,         nearly 100% of cells that were recovered using the described         approach contained the desired mutation, and in E. coli, 65%         that were recovered contained the mutation.     -   Konermann et al. addressed the need in the art for versatile and         robust technologies that enable optical and chemical modulation         of DNA-binding domains based CRISPR Cas9 enzyme and also         Transcriptional Activator Like Effectors     -   As discussed in the present specification, the Cas9 nuclease         from the microbial CRISPR-Cas system is targeted to specific         genomic loci by a 20 nt guide sequence, which can tolerate         certain mismatches to the DNA target and thereby promote         undesired off-target mutagenesis. To address this, Ran et al.         described an approach that combined a Cas9 nickase mutant with         paired guide RNAs to introduce targeted double-strand breaks.         Because individual nicks in the genome are repaired with high         fidelity, simultaneous nicking via appropriately offset guide         RNAs is required for double-stranded breaks and extends the         number of specifically recognized bases for target cleavage. The         authors demonstrated that using paired nicking can reduce         off-target activity by 50- to 1,500-fold in cell lines and to         facilitate gene knockout in mouse zygotes without sacrificing         on-target cleavage efficiency. This versatile strategy enables a         wide variety of genome editing applications that require high         specificity.     -   Hsu et al. characterized SpCas9 targeting specificity in human         cells to inform the selection of target sites and avoid         off-target effects. The study evaluated >700 guide RNA variants         and SpCas9-induced indel mutation levels at >100 predicted         genomic off-target loci in 293T and 293FT cells. The authors         that SpCas9 tolerates mismatches between guide RNA and target         DNA at different positions in a sequence-dependent manner,         sensitive to the number, position and distribution of         mismatches. The authors further showed that SpCas9-mediated         cleavage is unaffected by DNA methylation and that the dosage of         SpCas9 and sgRNA can be titrated to minimize off-target         modification. Additionally, to facilitate mammalian genome         engineering applications, the authors reported providing a         web-based software tool to guide the selection and validation of         target sequences as well as off-target analyses.     -   Ran et al. described a set of tools for Cas9-mediated genome         editing via non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or         homology-directed repair (HDR) in mammalian cells, as well as         generation of modified cell lines for downstream functional         studies. To minimize off-target cleavage, the authors further         described a double-nicking strategy using the Cas9 nickase         mutant with paired guide RNAs. The protocol provided by the         authors experimentally derived guidelines for the selection of         target sites, evaluation of cleavage efficiency and analysis of         off-target activity. The studies showed that beginning with         target design, gene modifications can be achieved within as         little as 1-2 weeks, and modified clonal cell lines can be         derived within 2-3 weeks.     -   Shalem et al. described a new way to interrogate gene function         on a genome-wide scale. Their studies showed that delivery of a         genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout (GeCKO) library targeted         18,080 genes with 64,751 unique guide sequences enabled both         negative and positive selection screening in human cells. First,         the authors showed use of the GeCKO library to identify genes         essential for cell viability in cancer and pluripotent stem         cells. Next, in a melanoma model, the authors screened for genes         whose loss is involved in resistance to vemurafenib, a         therapeutic that inhibits mutant protein kinase BRAF. Their         studies showed that the highest-ranking candidates included         previously validated genes NF1 and MED12 as well as novel hits         NF2, CUL3, TADA2B, and TADA1. The authors observed a high level         of consistency between independent guide RNAs targeting the same         gene and a high rate of hit confirmation, and thus demonstrated         the promise of genome-scale screening with Cas9.     -   Nishimasu et al. reported the crystal structure of Streptococcus         pyogenes Cas9 in complex with sgRNA and its target DNA at 2.5 A°         resolution. The structure revealed a bilobed architecture         composed of target recognition and nuclease lobes, accommodating         the sgRNA:DNA heteroduplex in a positively charged groove at         their interface. Whereas the recognition lobe is essential for         binding sgRNA and DNA, the nuclease lobe contains the HNH and         RuvC nuclease domains, which are properly positioned for         cleavage of the complementary and non-complementary strands of         the target DNA, respectively. The nuclease lobe also contains a         carboxyl-terminal domain responsible for the interaction with         the protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). This high-resolution         structure and accompanying functional analyses have revealed the         molecular mechanism of RNA-guided DNA targeting by Cas9, thus         paving the way for the rational design of new, versatile         genome-editing technologies.     -   Wu et al. mapped genome-wide binding sites of a catalytically         inactive Cas9 (dCas9) from Streptococcus pyogenes loaded with         single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) in mouse embryonic stem cells         (mESCs). The authors showed that each of the four sgRNAs tested         targets dCas9 to between tens and thousands of genomic sites,         frequently characterized by a 5-nucleotide seed region in the         sgRNA and an NGG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). Chromatin         inaccessibility decreases dCas9 binding to other sites with         matching seed sequences; thus 70% of off-target sites are         associated with genes. The authors showed that targeted         sequencing of 295 dCas9 binding sites in mESCs transfected with         catalytically active Cas9 identified only one site mutated above         background levels. The authors proposed a two-state model for         Cas9 binding and cleavage, in which a seed match triggers         binding but extensive pairing with target DNA is required for         cleavage.     -   Hsu 2014 is a review article that discusses generally         CRISPR-Cas9 history from yogurt to genome editing, including         genetic screening of cells, that is in the information, data and         findings of the applications in the lineage of this         specification filed prior to Jun. 5, 2014. The general teachings         of Hsu 2014 do not involve the specific models, animals of the         instant specification.

The invention relates to the engineering and optimization of systems, methods and compositions used for the control of gene expression involving sequence targeting, such as genome perturbation or gene-editing, that relate to the CRISPR-Cas system and components thereof. In advantageous embodiments, the Cas enzyme is Cas9.

The CRISPR-Cas polynucleotide sequence is generally referred to herein as the guide, or even as guide RNA (sgRNA), although it will be appreciated that this terminology was not as commonplace previously. Furthermore, reference is made herein to a CRISPR-Cas9 system, although it will be appreciated that this is a broad reference to any Cas, provided it has a nuclease function either to induce a DSB, a nick or a double nick, although Cas9 is preferred and SaCas9 is particularly preferred.

Some of the key points in the present liver data are summarised below an flow through to post-mitotic cells in general, as liver cells are typically post-mitotic:

AAV2/8

Preferred delivery for the CRISPR-Cas system is through a viral vector. This vector may be a lentiviral vector or an AAV vector, as discussed at some length herein. Whet we have particularly showed is that AAV is a preferred example of a viral vector. Within that, we gone on to show that AAV8 and in particular AAV2/8 (AAV8 packaged with AAV2 packaging signal ITR) is useful in delivery to the liver, especially in vivo.

Phenotypic Changes Seen In Vivo

As discussed elsewhere, we have been able to show, in vivo, that phenotypic change can be detected. This is a significant step forward as a deficiency often levelled at RNAi is that no lasting effect is seen. With the present invention, phenotypic change can be seen in the liver for the first time. A preferred arrangement to achieve this is to use that in Example 36. Important elements of this are preferred alone or in combination, namely:

-   -   Sa Cas9;     -   Use of a chimeric guide RNA comprising the guide, tracr sequence         and tracr mate;     -   For the tracr sequence, Sa tracr is preferable to recruit the Sa         Cas9;     -   AAV8 or more preferably AAV2/8;     -   For experimental purposes, Rosa26 is a useful negative control;     -   Although use of the CMV promoter in an AAV vector is helpful,         use of a liver-specific promoter (for liver targeting) such as         TBG is particularly effective;     -   The target or targets may be wide-ranging as CRISPR has been         shown to have broad applicability across targets, once they         guides are successfully delivered and the Css9 enzymes are         suitably expressed. However, preferred targets in the liver         (against which the guides may be designed) nevertheless include         one or more of: PCSK9; Hmgcr; SERPINA1; ApoB; and.or LDL.

Accordingly, in some embodiments it is particularly preferred that the Cas enzyme is an Sa Cas9. Preferably, the CRISPRS-Cas polynucleotide sequence is chimeric and preferably includes an Sa tracr where the Cas9 is an Sa Cas9. A viral vector may be used which is preferably AAV2/8. Furthermore, a liver-specific promoter is ideal and a preferred example is TBG. All of these may be used in combination to provide a chimeric CRISPRS-Cas polynucleotide sequence including an Sa tracr, wherein the Cas9 is an SaCas9, and the vector is AAV2/8, with at least the Cas9 under the control of a liver-specific such as TBG. Any of the above targets may be sued with this system, in particular ApoB due to its importance in obesity.

Yin and Anderson's later Nature Biotech Paper (NBT 2884, referenced herein) provides further support for the in vivo phenotypic changes that we have already shown.

Additional data that we provide in then adds further support by demonstrating efficient in vivo editing of somatic liver tissue via Cas9. Moreover, delivery via AAV2/8 and the use of an SaCas9 again show the usefulness of this particular approach in vivo. The preferred ApoB was again targeted.

Later examples 36 and 37 show excellent in vivo data for efficacy in inducing a phenotypic change in vivo: specifically ApoB, a lipid metabolism gene, whilst Example 38 shows the applicability of the technique to post-mitotic cells, of which liver is an important example. Example 39 shows that multiple epitope tags are preferable for detection purposes.

Although viral vectors are preferred, in some embodiments, the use of cell penetrating peptides is a viable alternative and so is also preferred.

Example 36 showed that both genotypic and, crucially, phenotypic changes are seen with CRISPR-Cas systems. Not only that, but the CRISPR-Cas9 system was effective at inducing a phenotypic change in vivo.

Specifically, the target was ApoB, a lipid metabolism gene. What is so encouraging is that ApoB can be said to be the “gold-standard” in liver delivery, and is widely used in mouse models of obesity. Liver is a preferred post-mitotic cell in some embodiments, although it may also be excluded in others. Either way, this work provides proof of principle that a phenotypic change is seen, even in vivo, and this is equally applicable to other post-mitotic cells. Indeed, Example 39 provides further proof of this in a separate tissue, brain, with post-mitotic neurons.

Delivery in Example 37 was via intravenous injection. An AAV vector was used, as well as a Liver-specific promoter (TBG) for Cas9.

Delivery through expression from a viral vector as seen here is an improvement over Anderson/Yin's (NBT 2884) use of hydrodynamic delivery as the delivery method, because hydrodynamic delivery requires several mls of fluid to be injected which is stressful on the murine body and can be fatal. Hydrodynamic delivery is best suited for delivery of plasmid (naked) DNA, whereas Applicants have shown that packaging the guide and Cas9 sequences within a viral delivery vector is preferable in terms of greatly increased efficiency. Indeed, only relatively small volumes need to be introduced, and this can be done intravenously (i.v.), which is likely to be much more acceptable therapeutically.

What was particularly encouraging was that not only was a genotypic change seen in a “gold-standard” gene for liver such as ApoB, but phenotypic changes were also recorded. Previous work with PCSK9 had shown genotypic, but not phenotypic changes, so the phenotypic changes seen with ApoB validate the plausibility of CRISPR delivery to, and its ability to effect phenotypic change in, the Liver. This is in combination with the more therapeutically acceptable means of delivery (i.v. compared to hydrodynamic delivery). As such, viral delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 system (guide and Cas9) is preferred, especially intravenously).

Potential targets include, but are not limited to, PCSK9, HMGCR, APOB, LDLR, ANGPTL3, F8, F9/FIX, AAT, FAH, HPD, TAT, ATP7B, UGT1A1, OTC, ARH.

Accordingly, provided are methods of inducing a phenotypic change in vivo comprising administering the CRISPR-Cas9 system to the target cells, for instance the liver. Suitable delivery routes are described herein but i.v. injection is preferred in some embodiments. Viral vectors are preferred, particularly AAV, in particular AAV serotype 2/8.

Also provided is a CRISPR-Cas9 system comprising one or more guides targeting lipid metabolism genes, for instance ApoB. Methods of treating obesity, comprising administering said CRISPR-Cas9 system, are also envisaged. A mouse model comprising one or more liver gene knock down(s), especially of lipid metabolism gene(s), for instance including ApoB, are preferred.

Liver specific promoters for the Cas9 will be apparent but may include those mentioned herein. A preferred example is TBG.

As shown in Example 38, the guide may be 18-23 nucleotides in length. It may be 18-22, or 19-22, or 18-21, 20-22, but is preferably 22 and most preferably 21 nucleotides in length.

Also provided is proof of principle of successful packaging of a guide sequence into a SaCas9 intron. Accordingly, the CRISPR-Cas9 systems, wherein one or more guide sequences are packaged (positioned or inserted) into a Cas9 intron, are preferred.

The H1 promoter can be used and may be preferable in some circumstances.

Expanding on the work by Ran (Cell, 154, 21 Aug. 2013), the degree of overlap in the dual guide approach using a D10A Double-Nickase was investigated. Optimal results were shown between −5 and +1 bp (5′ to 5′). Accordingly, it is prefer to use a dual guide approach to minimise off target effects. These preferably overlap, or come close to overlapping, at their 5′ ends, on different stands of DNA at the genomic target. Preferably, the overlap is in the range of −5 to +1 bp. In these instances, it will be appreciated that the Cas9 is a double nickase, such as the preferred D10A variant.

Multiple or repeat epitope Tags are preferred for the Cas9. In particular, a triple epitope tag was shown in Example 39 to improve detection. The tag is preferably a repeat, more preferably a triple repeat. HA is a preferred Cas9 epitope tag. A triple HA epitope tag is, therefore, preferred in some embodiments.

Example 39 presents the following specific points. It provides:

a first demonstration of successful AAV-mediated Cas9 delivery in vivo as well as efficient genome modification in post-mitotic neurons;

for the development of a nuclear tagging technique which enables easy isolation of neuronal nuclei from Cas9 and sgRNA-expressing cells;

a demonstration of applications toward RNAseq analysis of neuronal transcriptome;

how electrophysiological studies and other techniques can be integrated with Cas9-mediated genome perturbation to determine phenotypic changes; and

a demonstration of multiplex targeting and the ability to study gene function on rodent behavior using Cas9-mediated genome editing.

Based on this, it can be seen that Example 39 provides further proof of concept in two main areas: in the understanding and testing of gene function, including the creation and testing of models; and in gene therapy.

An additional aspect, discussed further below, is in relation to a method for Nuclear Tagging.

It will be appreciated that reference to CRISPR-Cas9 systems herein is a short-hand for referring to the Cas9 enzymes provided herein in combination with the guides or guides used to target one or more genomic sequences. Reference to guide(s) includes sgRNA, as well as the chimeric polynucleotide sequences described herein which comprises the guide sequences capable of hybridising to target sequences in the genome of the subject, a tracr mate sequence and a tracr sequence.

The data essentially shows phenotypic changes resulting from gene knock down using two separate CRISPR-Cas9 systems according to the invention (guide RNA in combination with a Cas9 enzyme), in this case to successfully perturb gene function. The chosen tissue was brain tissue, but the results provide proof of principle for a wide range of post-mitotic tissues. This is an important distinction, because previous work has focused on dividing cells (i.e. pre-mitotic).

In other words, whereas SpCas9 has been broadly used to engineer dividing cells, Applicants demonstrate that SpCas9 can also be used to engineer the genome of post-mitotic neurons. This is done with high efficiency via NHFJ-mediated indel generation to create knock downs, but therapeutic uses involving correction via the HDR mechanism (upon provision of a repair template) are also envisaged. Both are dependent on successful delivery and functional expression of the Cas9 and RNA guide or guides, which is shown here.

The fact that genotypic changes induced by the CRISPR-Cas9 systems then results in a phenotypic change is also important for both of the above areas (gene function and gene therapy).

The first CRISPR-Cas9 system employed guide sequences directed at (targeting) Mecp2. A dual vector CRISPR-Cas9 system, with one vector comprising the guide and one comprising the Cas9, was successfully employed showing further proof of principle for such dual vector systems. The dual vector CRISPR-Cas9 system was successfully delivered, via stereotactical injection, to two separate locations in the brain, specifically the Hippocampal dentate gyrus and the visual cortex. In both cases, gene perturbation of the same gene, Mecp2, was seen indicating that the dual vector system was successfully delivered and acted as expected, with transcription and functional activity in the Cas9 enzyme (in this case an SpCas9), and successful recruitment of the Cas9 to the genomic target sequence by the guide sequences.

AAV-mediated in vivo delivery of SpCas9 and sgRNA provides a rapid and powerful technology for achieving precise genomic perturbations within intact neural circuits. AS such, the vector used was an AAV vector, adding further evidence for their use in general and in dual vector CRISPR-Cas9 systems in particular, especially in post-mitotic cells and tissues, and in particular in the brain.

It will of course be appreciated that the choice of promoter is important in achieving expression from the CRISPR-Cas9 system, in particular the Cas9 or both guide(s) and Cas9. Suitable examples for cell and cell lifecycle stage specificity can be determined from the literature. Nevertheless, some non-limiting examples include: TBG, a liver-specific promoter and is used here to drive expression of SaCas9; the H1 promoter; a truncated H1 promoter; the U6 promoter. Also, as guides do not necessarily need a specific promoter, one or more guides could similarly packaged into a/the Cas9 intron.

The second CRISPR-Cas9 system used included a multiplex approach. One key advantage of the SpCas9 system is its ability to facilitate multiplex genome editing. This second system successfully targeted three or more genes from the same family (in this case, Dmnt1, 3a and 3b) by including suitable guides and resulted in stable knockouts of multiple genes. This has broad implications for probing the function of not only individual genes, but also whole gene families, in the tissues of living animals. This is particularly important for tissues such as the brain where this has not been possible before, or could only be achieved through long years of classical genetics. Applicants have shown that single or multiple gene perturbation (even complete knock down) can occur in post-mitotic cells in a normal animal. However, this could equally apply to a model organism (for instance one already carrying a gene mutation or perturbation or comprising altered expression of some kind) or a transgenic organism, lending a quick alternative to existing methods of producing model organisms and using model organisms to understand gene function. Further guides (and/or whole CRISPR-Cas9 systems) could be employed to make later rounds of gene perturbations and/or reinstatements (restoring gene function for instance by correction of the perturbed gene through provision, for instance, of a repair template, such as ssDNA suitable for HDR) within the same organism.

In fact, in general, SpCas9-mediated targeting of single or multiple genes can recapitulate morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral phenotypes observed using classical, more time-consuming genetic mouse models.

Alternatively to knocking down whole gene families or related genes, the data here also provides proof of principle that simultaneous knock down or three or more unrelated genes is equally feasible. This is applicable across all tissues, but is particularly strongly presented in respect of post-mitotic tissues, especially the brain.

Another useful aspect of the work is that it showed that a combined, or integrated, approach could be taken to studying gene function, employing CRISPR to effect a genotypic change and then using classical tools such as electrophysiology (particularly relevant to brain and CNS tissue), biochemical, sequencing, electrophysiological, and/or behavioral readouts to establish what, if any, phenotypic changes result from the genotypic change induced by the CRISPR-Cas9 system. For example in the brain, this allows us to study the function of individual as wells as groups of genes in neural processes and their roles in brain disorders in vivo.

The successful perturbation of genes in this work is equally applicable to correction or reinstatement of gene function, i.e. the use of CRISPR-Cas9 systems in gene therapy. This is particularly in relation to targeting post-mitotic cells, especially the brain.

In general, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 systems show improvements over existing techniques such as Zn fingers, which take a long time to design and produce and cannot multiplex and shRNA, which has too many off-target effects whereas CRISPR off-target effects can be minimised by using double-nickase approaches.

Targeting of Tissues

The work herein supports the use of CRISPR-Cas9 systems to target genes in post-mitotic cells through delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to the appropriate location (i.e. to cells within the organs or tissues of interest). Preferred tissues are within the following organs:

Kidney;

Digestive System including the stomach, pancreas, duodenum, ileum and/or colon;

Heart;

Lung;

Brain, in particular neurons, and/or CNS in general;

Eye, including retinal tissue;

Ear, including the inner ear;

Skin;

Muscle;

Bone; and/or

Liver in general.

It will be appreciated that many of the above may comprise pre-mitotic cells, but that this aspect of the invention is directed to post-mitotic cells or tissues within those organs.

In particular, Applicants prefer that the organ is the kidney or the brain. Within the brain, the data specifically shows delivery to the Hippocampal dentate gyrus and the visual cortex, which are preferred tissues, although other tissues including any one or more of the following: primary motor cortex, primary auditoty cortex, primary somatosensory cortex, cerebellum, main olfactory bulb, prefrontal cortex, endopiriform nucleus, amygdala, substantia nigra, striatum, pallidum, thalamus, hypothalamus, Parabranchial nucleus, superior olivary complex, cochlear nuclei, mammillary nuclei, are also preferred in some embodiments.

Cells from the brain, and neurons in particular, are especially preferred.

The choice of promoter to drive expression of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, especially the Cas9 is important, as mentioned above. To be considered when selecting a promoter are the cell cycle stage (early/late) and the cell type as promoters will be specific for one of more cell types and cell-cycle stages. Suitable promoters may include any one or more of the following Table 1, in some embodiments:

TABLE 1 Cell Type Promoter Excitatory neurons CamkII Fast spiking interneurons Parvalbumin All interneurons vGAT Dopaminoceptive neurons DR1 Dopaminoceptive neurons DR2 Astroglia GFAP Activated neurons Arc

The dual vector CRISPR-Cas9 system used in targeting the brain, in particular the Hippocampal dentate gyrus, packaged SpCas9 and sgRNA expression cassettes on two separate viral vectors. Cas9s, in particular SpCAs9s, are therefore preferably delivered by adenoviral vectors, especially AAV (i.e. as AAV-SpCas9). Guides are preferably delivered as sgRNA expression cassettes by adenoviral vectors, especially AAV (i.e. as AAV-SpGuide). A preferred route for this tissue (the Hippocampal dentate gyrus) and for the brain in general is stereotactical injection.

Understanding and Testing of Gene Function, and the Creation and Use of Models to do so

Conditions which could be looked at include Huntingdon's, but essentially include any condition found in post-mitotic cells and especially those that may benefit from being studied in vivo or lack a useful model.

As mentioned above, CRISPR-Cas9 systems can be used to interrogate the function of one or more genes in post-mitotic cells. This may be achieved through delivery and expression of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to the post-mitotic cell, wherein the guide(s) of the CRISPR-Cas9 system are designed to recruit the Cas9 to the genomic target or targets of interest. Equally, where the Cas9 is already comprised within the post-mitotic cell, protein (transcribed) form, then delivery of the guides to the post-mitotic cell will suffice. Where the Cas9 is already comprised within the post-mitotic cell, in polynucleotide (untranscribed), then delivery of the guides to the post-mitotic cell as well as induction of transcription of the Cas9 polynucleotide will be necessary. Having the Cas9 under the control of an inducible or repressible promoter, such as the tet (tetracycline) on-off system may be advantageous here.

One aspect that is particularly promising is the integration of CRISPR techniques with phenotypic assays to determine the phenotypic changes, if any, resulting from gene perturbations, especially knock downs. For instance, Example 39 shows what can be achieved with targeted genomic perturbations coupled with quantitative readouts to provide insights into the biological function of specific genomic elements. In particular, Cas9-mediated in vivo genome editing in the brain can also be coupled with electrophysiological recording to study the effect of genomic perturbation on specific cell types or circuit components. In a broader sense, use of the CRISPR-Cas9 systems (to provide Cas9-mediated genomic perturbations) can be combined with biochemical, sequencing, electrophysiological, and behavioral analysis to study the function of the targeted genomic element.

Thus in one aspect, there is provided: a method of interrogating the function of one or more genes in a post-mitotic cell, comprising:

inducing a deficient genotype or gene knock down as described below; and

determining changes in expression of the one or more genes in the condition thereby interrogating the function of the one or more genes.

Optionally, the method may also include:

-   -   transplanting the second population of cells into the subject         thereby inducing the condition associated with the deficient         genotype or gene knock down. This may be prior to the         determining step.

The following applies broadly to appropriate aspects of the invention. The cell may be in a subject, such as a human, animal or model organism, so that gene function is interrogated in vivo. However, it is also envisaged that the cell may be ex vivo, for instance in a cell culture or in a model organ or organoid. In some embodiments, the method may include isolation a first population of cells from the subject, optionally culturing them and transducing them with one or more CRISPR-Cas9 systems. Further optional culturing may follow. Transplantation of the transduced cells back into the subject may then occur.

The cell may be from any of the tissues or organs described herein. The brain is one preferred example, providing for said method of interrogating the function of one or more genes, wherein the post-mitotic cell is a brain cell, for instance a neurone. Particularly in vivo, this allows for the interrogation of gene function on animal behavior. The animal is preferably a mammal, for instance a rodent. Given the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of intricate networks of heterogeneous cell types, being able to efficiently edit the genome of neurons in vivo enables direct testing of gene function in relevant cell types embedded in native contexts. This is supported by Applicants' data where knockout mice showed impaired memory consolidation when tested under trained context conditions Applicants' results demonstrate that CRIPSR-Cas9-mediated knockout of DNMT family members in dentate gyrus neurons is sufficient to probe the function of genes in behavioral tasks

This shows the versatility of Cas9s in facilitating targeted gene knockout in the mammalian brain in vivo, for studying genes functions and, in particular, for dissection of neuronal circuits. Introducing stable knockouts of multiple genes in the brain of living animals will have potentially far-reaching applications, such as causal interrogation of multigenic mechanisms in physiological and neuropathological conditions.

The specifics of this work are that Applicants chose the mouse Mecp2 promoter (235 bp, pMecp2)7 and a minimal polyadenylation signal (48 bp, spA) based on their ability to achieve sufficient levels of SpCas9 expression in cultured primary mouse cortical neurons. Mecp2 gene, plays a principal role in Rett syndrome, a type of autism spectrum disorder. To target Mecp2, Applicants first designed several sgRNAs targeting exon 3 of the mouse Mecp2 gene and evaluated their efficacy using Neuro-2a cells. The most efficient sgRNA was identified using the SURVEYOR nuclease assay. The delivery was via stereotactical injection of a mixture (1:1 ratio) of high titer AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide. Applicants also successfully tested the possibility of multiplex genome editing in the brain Applicants designed a multiplex sgRNA expression vector consisting of three sgRNAs in tandem, along with GFP-KASH for nuclei labelling.

Thus, also provided are methods of inducing conditions characterised by one or more gene knockdowns in a post-mitotic cell. Examples of such conditions are numerous, but may include Rett syndrome, as exemplified. Suitable promoters will be apparent, and the Mecp2 promoter is ideal for Rett syndrome. One way to select a promoter to drive expression of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, in particular the Cas9, is to select the promoter for the gene of interest.

Thus in one aspect, there is provided: a method of inducing conditions characterised by one or more deficient genes (or genotypes) or gene knockdowns in a post-mitotic cell, which may comprise:

transducing a first population of cells with a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising

a first regulatory element operably linked to a CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises

one, two, three, four or more guide sequences capable of hybridizing to three or more target sequences in genome of the subject,

a tracr mate sequence, and

a tracr sequence, and

a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at list one or more nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation,

wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system, wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence direct sequence-specific binding of CRISPR complexes to the target sequence,

wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence,

wherein the CRISPR enzyme alters the genome of the first population of cells to obtain a second population of cells bearing the one or more deficient genes or knocked down genes.

Optionally, the method may also include:

isolating a first population of cells from the subject.

Optionally, the method may also include:

transplanting the second population of cells into the subject thereby inducing the proliferative condition.

This may involve inducing a non-functional (which include partially non-functional) genotype into the target cell, to thereby provide a model for study (including future restoration of the functional genotype).

CRISPR-Cas9 systems can also be used to facilitate the study of gene functions in cellular assays by enabling targeted knockout in post-mitotic neurons.

Methods for delivering nucleotides to neuronal cells are well known and reviewed in The Journal of Neuroscience, by Karra and Dahm (5 May 2010, 30(18): 6171-6177; doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0183-10.2010). Examples include electrical transfection methods (such as electroporation, nucleofection, and single-cell electroporation); chemical transfection methods (such as Ca2+ phosphate co/precipitation and lipofection); viral delivery (such as Adenoviral, Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV), Lentiviral and Herpes Simplex Virus); and physical transfection methods (such as microinjection and biolistics (DNA-coated gold particles). All of these can be used for delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, but lipofection or viral methods are preferred, especially AAV or Lentiviral.

Models

Models are provided with single or multiple genes knocked down. An example would be a rodent model for Rett syndrome, a Mecp2 knock down. Others include Dmnt family knock downs, specifically Dmnt1, 3a and 3b knock downs. As such, models studying neurological conditions are provided. All that needs to be done is to identify the target genes of interest, design suitable guide(s) and include these in a suitable CRISPR-Cas9 system and deliver it to the post-mitotic cell(s) whether in vivo or ex vivo, as required. For instance, the models may have altered dendritic tree morphology and/or spine density are provided.

As mentioned above, models tissues are also provided, such as organoids or “Liver on a chip” or non-liver equivalents thereof such as ear, kidney and brain tissues, for instance on a chip or supported in a scaffold. Animal models and model tissues are preferred. These may be already transformed with Cas9 so that they comprise Cas9 in nucleotide or protein form, as mentioned above. These have the advantage that Cas9 does not need to be delivered alongside the guide(s) and this in turn may allow for a much greater degree of (guide) multiplexing to be accommodated within the delivery vectors. Again, use of inducible or repressible systems such as tet-on or tet-off, may be advantageous here.

All of these models are obtainable using the CRISPR-Cas9 system as described above. Due to the versatility of the CRISPR-Cas9 system, the range of possible models, whether human, rodent, mammalian or otherwise is hugely diverse and this can be established by simple selection of appropriates guide(s). Methods of creating such models are also provided comprising

Gene Therapy

The data in Example 39 focuses on gene perturbation, primarily knock down. Gene knock down is likely to be only a small, if important, part of the total quorum of possible applications of CRISPR-Cas9 systems to gene therapy. As already shown in the Yin and Anderson paper (Nature Biotech 2884 published online 30 Mar. 2014), a functional phenotype can be restored following correction of a deficient mutation in hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HTI), an otherwise fatal condition caused by mutation of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) (G to A in the last nucleotide in exon 8) which causes skipping of exon 8 during splicing and results in the formation of a truncated, unstable FAH protein, leading to accumulation of toxic metabolites. Correction of the A mutation back to the wild-type G genotype resulted in a restored phenotype.

As such, the approaches taken herein demonstrate that the instant invention can plausibly be applied to gene therapy. In particular, the dual vector approach, the nuclear tagging approach, the specifics of the brain delivery (the form of injection, the promoters and/or viral vectors used), as well as the multiplexing (use of multiple guides for multiple targets either within the same or within different genes) could equally be applied to correctional gene therapy (i.e. where a deficient genotype is corrected) as to the exemplified gene knock down. The main difference between correctional gene therapy and gene knock down is that in order to correct a deficient genotype, such as a point mutation (for instance in Cystic Fibrosis, see ref Schwank et al, Cell Stem Cell 13, 653-658 5 Dec. 2013), it is advantageous to provide a repair template to stimulate the HDR mechanism and ideally provide a suitable Cas9 nickase as well.

Accordingly, the present vectors preferably target post-mitotic cells. Where the guide or guides target a deficient genotype, are preferably also provided with a repair template, for instance ssDNA corresponding to the corrected sequence (a genotype providing functional phenotype). Repair templates are described herein. The Cas9 may be provided in the same or a different vector from the guide or guides. The vectors are preferably viral vectors, more preferably adenoviral vectors and most preferably AAV vectors. Delivery to the cells is preferably by intravenous injection or by stereotactic injection, as appropriate. The selection of the promoter may also be important and advantageous examples are provided herein.

Methods of treating genetic diseases or conditions caused by, or associated with, a deficient genotype in post-mitotic cells are provided, comprising delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to the appropriate cell. A deficient genotype may be the non-wild type genotype. In particular, single point mutations and/or monogenic disorders are especially suited to treatment using CRISPR-Cas9 systems. Where multiple genes require editing or correcting, then a multiplex approach may be used to target them all simultaneously. Alternatively, two or more rounds of different CRISPR-Cas9 systems could be envisaged. Preferably, the wild-type genotype is corrected for. It does not necessarily have to be the most common genotype, provided that function is restored or improved in the phenotype.

An example of a restored phenotype is the restoration of hearing to restore VGLUT3 function and hence hearing in the inner ear of mice (Omar Akil, Rebecca P. Seal, Kevin Burke, Chuansong Wang, Aurash Alemi, Matthew During, Robert H. Edwards, Lawrence R. Lustig. Restoration of Hearing in the VGLUT3 Knockout Mouse Using Virally Mediated Gene Therapy, Neuron, 2012; 75 (2): 283 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2012.05.019). This was using AAV-mediated delivery of VGLUT3 itself, but it is entirely plausible that CRISPR-Cas9 system could also be used, preferably also using AAV vectors, to target the cells of the inner ear and correct the non-functional VGLUT3 genotype, with similar phenotypic consequences, namely restoration of hearing. As such, delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to the inner ear, preferably using AAV vectors, is preferred, thus treating hearing loss. Indeed, restoration of gene function in sensory organs such as the eye, including the retina, nose and ear (particularly the inner ear) is preferred.

A relatively recent overview, which includes a discussion of disorders in post-mitotic tissues (eye, ear and beyond) is Kaufmann et al (EMBO Mol Med (2013(5, p1642-1661). This confirms the usefulness of AAV in the correction of monogenic disorders in post-mitotic tissues. It states that “in combination with other characteristics such as low inflammatory activity, they have shown to have an excellent safety profile and are therefore highly attractive tools for in vivo gene therapy. Indeed, Glybera® is a recombinant AAV for direct intramuscular injection . . . ” The paper, with citations, reviews gene therapy in the retina, central nervous system, liver, skeletal and cardiac muscle as target tissues. And, with citations, indicates that “initial studies exploited the prototype AAV serotype 2 vector, the portfolio of AAV vectors has recently been expanded to include additional serotypes and even engineered capsids.” Kaufmann and the documents cited in Kaufmann are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

RNAseq Analysis of the Transcriptome

The combination of SpCas9-mediated genome perturbation and population level RNAseq analysis provides a way to characterize transcriptional regulation and suggest genes that may be important to specific functions or disease processes in the cells under consideration. In particular, the cells are from the brain, in particular neurons. Fast-acting techniques such as a CRISPR-Cas9 system are advantageous in studying the transcriptome, which is, by its nature, transient. As such, the use of CRISPR-Cas9 systems according to the present invention in analysis of the transcriptome (RNAseq) are provided.

Nuclear Tagging Method

To facilitate immunofluorescence identification of SpCas9-expressing neurons, Applicants tagged SpCas9 with a HA-epitope tag (derived from human influenza hemagluttinin, a general epitope tag widely used in expression vectors).

For the AAV-SpGuide vector, Applicants packaged an U6-sgRNA expression cassette as well as the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused with the KASH nuclear trans-membrane domain driven by the human Synapsin I promoter. The GFP-KASH fusion protein directs GFP to the outer nuclear membrane and enables fluorescence-based identification and purification of intact neuronal nuclei transduced by AAV-SpGuide.

Accordingly, the vectors of the present invention are preferably adapted in a similar fashion. Thus, the vectors are provided wherein the Cas9 is tagged with an epitope tag, such as the HA-epitope tag. The Cas9 may be any of the Cas9s described herein, for instance Sp or SaCas9 and may be any variant (such as D10A double nickase etc.), provide that it is or can be tagged appropriately.

The vectors of the present invention may also be adapted so that the guide RNA is packaged within an expression cassette, which comprises:

a reporter protein; and

optionally, a suitable promoter for the guide RNA, such as U6;

wherein the reporter protein is fused with a nuclear trans-membrane domain operably linked to a suitable promoter therefor.

The reporter protein is preferably a fluorescent protein, for instance one of green, red or yellow fluorescent proteins (GFP, RFP, YFP) and so forth.

Examples of nuclear trans-membrane domains include KASH-like domains, Sun2 domains, LEM domains. In some preferred embodiments, the nuclear trans-membrane domain is the KASH nuclear trans-membrane. Preferably, the promoter for the trans-membrane domain is the human Synapsin I promoter, see also documents cited herein.

This tagging approach may be used within single or dual vector systems, but preferably within dual vector systems as space is limited in single vector systems and the need for separate tags lessened as well.

Furthermore, each aspect of this tagging technique can be used independently of the other, so that epitope tagging of the Cas9 can be used alone, or the reporter/fluorescent protein cassette approach can be used alone, or more preferably both can be used together.

Kanasty and Anderson (Nature Materials, Vol 12 Nov. 2013) is a useful review, initially submitted on 11 Mar. 2013 and published online on 23 Oct. 2013 of delivery of RNAi. Due to the similarities between RNAi and CRISPR guide sequences, the teaching of this and other art in respect of RNAi is informative for the mechanisms of delivering the guides in Applicants' CRISPR-Cas9 system. Some of the techniques described are also be suitable for delivery of the Cas9 as well. In some instance is may be useful to deliver the guides of Applicants' CRISPR-Cas9 system separately from the Cas9.

This may be as part of a dual-vector delivery system, where the vectors are considered in the broadest light as simply any means of delivery, rather than specifically viral vectors. It is envisaged that the Cas9 may be delivered via a viral vector and that guides specific to genomic targets are delivered separately. As discussed herein, the guides could be delivered via the same vector types as the Cas9, for example a dual-vector system where the Cas9 is delivered in an AAV vector and the guide(s) are delivered in a separate AAV vector. This can be done substantially contemporaneously (i.e. co-delivery), but it could also be done at separate points in time, separated even by weeks or months. For example, if a first round of CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been delivered, but then it is subsequently required to provide further guides, then the original Cas9 which is hopefully still functional in the target cells may be re-used. If the Cas9 is under the control of an inducible promoter, then induction of transcription of new CAs9 in the target cells is preferred. Equally, if a CAs9-expressing model provided for herein is used, then only delivery of guide(s) is necessary. Accordingly, where delivery of guide(s) is required separately from Cas9, then it may be delivered in much the same way as RNAi.

As such, the review by Kanasty is helpful in pointing out a number of known approaches that are suitable, with particular focus on the liver, although the means of delivery are generally appropriate for a broad range of cells. Examples include:

“Liposomal delivery system, as well as siRNA conjugated to lipophilic molecules, interact with serum lipoproteins and subsequently gain entry into hepatocytes that take up those lipoproteins;”

PEGylation;

Conjugates such as:

Dynamic Polyconjugates (DPCs, 10 nm nanoparticles), which have been shown to deliver RNAi to successfully supress ApoB (thereby crossing over with Applicants' work on targeting ApoB via a CRISPR-Cas9 system); and

Triantennary GalNAc conjugates

are “both highly effective” especially GalNAc;

Other nanoparticles include:

Cyclodextrin Polymer nanoparticles (CDP), including additional formulation components such as adamantine-PEG (AD-PEG) and adamantine-PEG-transferrin (AD-PEG-Tf);

Lipid Nanoparticles (LNP), including cationic or ionisable lipids, shielding lipids, cholesterol and endogenous or exogenous targeting ligands. An example of an endogenous targeting ligand is Retinol Binding protein (RBP) useful for targeting hepatic and pancreatic stellate cells, which express the RBP receptor. An example of an exogenous targeting ligand is GalNac, which also targets the liver via the asialoglycoprotein receptor on hepatocytes. A combined approach is seen in Anlylam's ALN-VSP;

“Fenestrations in the liver endothelium allow molecules 100-200 nm in diameter to diffuse out of the bloodstream and gain access to the hepatocytes and other liver cells”;

Ligands such as GalNAc are suitable for delivery to non-parenchymal liver cells expressing the mannose receptor, and to hepatocytes where conjugation of suitable siRNA to a GalNAc ligand has been shown to successfully supress PCSK9; and

Oligonucleotide nanoparticles (ONPs) composed of composed of complimentary DNA fragments designed to hybridise into a pre-defined 3D structure. Using suitable 3′ overhand sequences, 6 siRNA strands could be attached to each particle, even at a specified position. The hydrodynamic diameter was about 29 nm.

These approaches are preferred in some embodiments for delivery of at least the guides for a CRISPR-Cas9 system. Especially preferred are Dynamic Polyconjugates or the use of an endogenous targeting ligands such as Retinol Binding protein or exogenous targeting ligands such as GalNac.

In yet another embodiment, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing can be used to correct a disease mutation and/or phenotype. That CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing can be used to correct a disease mutation and/or phenotype in the liver and or hepatocytes is illustrated in the manuscript entitled “Genome editing with Cas9 in adult mice corrects a disease mutation and phenotype” by Hao Yin et al. published at Nature Biotechnology published online March 2014; corrected online 31 Mar. 2014, available at the website nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/nbt.2884, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The paper relates to CRISPR-Cas9-mediated correction of a Fah mutation in hepatocytes in a mouse model of the human disease hereditary tyrosinemia. It was shown that delivery of components of the CRISPR-Cas9 system by hydrodynamic injection resulted in initial expression of the wild-type Fah protein in ˜1/250 liver cells. It was further shown that expansion of Fah-positive hepatocytes rescued the body weight loss phenotype.

An advantage of the present methods is that the CRISPR system avoids off-target binding and its resulting side effects. This is achieved using systems arranged to have a high degree of sequence specificity for the target DNA.

Cas9

Cas9 optimization may be used to enhance function or to develop new functions, one can generate chimeric Cas9 proteins. Examples that the Applicants have generated are provided in Example 6. Chimeric Cas9 proteins can be made by combining fragments from different Cas9 homologs. For example, two example chimeric Cas9 proteins from the Cas9s described herein. For example, Applicants fused the N-term of StlCas9 (fragment from this protein is in bold) with C-term of SpCas9. The benefit of making chimeric Cas9s include any or all of: reduced toxicity; improved expression in eukaryotic cells; enhanced specificity; reduced molecular weight of protein, for example, making the protein smaller by combining the smallest domains from different Cas9 homologs; and/or altering the PAM sequence requirement.

The Cas9 may be used as a generic DNA binding protein. For example, and as shown in Example 7, Applicants used Cas9 as a generic DNA binding protein by mutating the two catalytic domains (D10 and H840) responsible for cleaving both strands of the DNA target. In order to upregulate gene transcription at a target locus Applicants fused a transcriptional activation domain (VP64) to Cas9. Other transcriptional activation domains are known. As shown in Example 17, transcriptional activation is possible. As also shown in Example 17, gene repression (in this case of the beta-catenin gene) is possible using a Cas9 repressor (DNA-binding domain) that binds to the target gene sequence, thus repressing its activity.

Cas9 and one or more guide RNA can be delivered using adeno associated virus (AAV), lentivirus, adenovirus or other plasmid or viral vector types, in particular, using formulations and doses from, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,972 (formulations, doses for adenovirus), U.S. Pat. No. 8,404,658 (formulations, doses for AAV) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,946 (formulations, doses for DNA plasmids) and from clinical trials and publications regarding the clinical trials involving lentivirus, AAV and adenovirus. For examples, for AAV, the route of administration, formulation and dose can be as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,972 and as in clinical trials involving AAV. For Adenovirus, the route of administration, formulation and dose can be as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,404,658 and as in clinical trials involving adenovirus. For plasmid delivery, the route of administration, formulation and dose can be as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,846,946 and as in clinical studies involving plasmids. Doses may be based on or extrapolated to an average 70 kg individual, and can be adjusted for patients, subjects, mammals of different weight and species. Frequency of administration is within the ambit of the medical or veterinary practitioner (e.g., physician, veterinarian), depending on usual factors including the age, sex, general health, other conditions of the patient or subject and the particular condition or symptoms being addressed.

The viral vectors can be injected into the tissue of interest. For cell-type specific genome modification, the expression of Cas9 can be driven by a cell-type specific promoter. For example, liver-specific expression might use the Albumin promoter and neuron-specific expression might use the Synapsin I promoter.

Transgenic Animals and Plants

Transgenic animals (models) are also provided and the following applies equally to ex vivo model tissues and collections of tissues, such as organoids, liver on a chip and so forth. Preferred examples include animals comprising Cas9, in terms of polynucleotides encoding Cas9 or the protein itself. Mice, rats and rabbits are preferred. To generate transgenic mice with the constructs, as exemplified herein one may inject pure, linear DNA into the pronucleus of a zygote from a pseudo pregnant female, e.g. a CB56 female. Founders may then be identified, genotyped, and backcrossed to CB57 mice. The constructs may then be cloned and optionally verified, for instance by Sanger sequencing. Knock outs are envisaged where for instance one or more genes are knocked out in a model. However, are knockins are also envisaged (alone or in combination). An example knockin Cas9 mouse was generated and this is exemplified, but Cas9 knockins are preferred. To generate a Cas9 knock in mice one may target the same constitutive and conditional constructs to the Rosa26 locus, as described herein (FIGS. 25A-B and 26). Methods of US Patent Publication Nos. 20120017290 and 20110265198 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. directed to targeting the Rosa locus may be modified to utilize the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. In another embodiment, the methods of US Patent Publication No. 20130236946 assigned to Cellectis directed to targeting the Rosa locus may also be modified to utilize the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Utility of the conditional Cas9 mouse: Applicants have shown in 293 cells that the Cas9 conditional expression construct can be activated by co-expression with Cre. Applicants also show that the correctly targeted R1 mESCs can have active Cas9 when Cre is expressed. Because Cas9 is followed by the P2A peptide cleavage sequence and then EGFP Applicants identify successful expression by observing EGFP. Applicants have shown Cas9 activation in mESCs. This same concept is what makes the conditional Cas9 mouse so useful. Applicants may cross their conditional Cas9 mouse with a mouse that ubiquitously expresses Cre (ACTB-Cre line) and may arrive at a mouse that expresses Cas9 in every cell. It should only take the delivery of chimeric RNA to induce genome editing in embryonic or adult mice. Interestingly, if the conditional Cas9 mouse is crossed with a mouse expressing Cre under a tissue specific promoter, there should only be Cas9 in the tissues that also express Cre. This approach may be used to edit the genome in only precise tissues by delivering chimeric RNA to the same tissue.

As mentioned above, transgenic animals are also provided, as are transgenic plants, especially crops and algae. The transgenic plants may be useful in applications outside of providing a disease model. These may include food or feed production through expression of, for instance, higher protein, carbohydrate, nutrient or vitamin levels than would normally be seen in the wildtype. In this regard, transgenic plants, especially pulses and tubers, and animals, especially mammals such as livestock (cows, sheep, goats and pigs), but also poultry and edible insects, are preferred.

Transgenic algae or other plants such as rape may be particularly useful in the production of vegetable oils or biofuels such as alcohols (especially methanol and ethanol), for instance. These may be engineered to express or overexpress high levels of oil or alcohols for use in the oil or biofuel industries.

Adeno Associated Virus (AAV)

In terms of in vivo delivery, AAV is advantageous over other viral vectors for a couple of reasons:

Low toxicity (this may be due to the purification method not requiring ultra centrifugation of cell particles that can activate the immune response)

Low probability of causing insertional mutagenesis because it doesn't integrate into the host genome.

AAV has a packaging limit of 4.5 or 4.75 Kb. This means that Cas9 as well as a promoter and transcription terminator have to be all fit into the same viral vector. Constructs larger than 4.5 or 4.75 Kb will lead to significantly reduced virus production. SpCas9 is quite large, the gene itself is over 4.1 Kb, which makes it difficult for packing into AAV. Therefore embodiments of the invention include utilizing homologs of Cas9 that are shorter. For example:

Species Cas9 Size Corynebacter diphtheriae 3252 Eubacterium ventriosum 3321 Streptococcus pasteurianus 3390 Lactobacillus farciminis 3378 Sphaerochaeta globus 3537 Azospirillum B510 3504 Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus 3150 Neisseria cinerea 3246 Roseburia intestinalis 3420 Parvibaculum lavamentivorans 3111 Staphylococcus aureus 3159 Nitratifractor salsuginis DSM 16511 3396 Campylobacter lari CF89-12 3009 Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9 3396

These species are therefore, in general, preferred Cas9 species. Applicants have shown delivery and in vivo mouse brain Cas9 expression data.

Two ways to package Cas9 coding nucleic acid molecules, e.g., DNA, into viral vectors to mediate genome modification in vivo are preferred:

To achieve NHEJ-mediated gene knockout:

Single virus vector:

Vector containing two or more expression cassettes:

Promoter-Cas9 coding nucleic acid molecule-terminator

Promoter-gRNA1-terminator

Promoter-gRNA2-terminator

Promoter-gRNA(N)-terminator (up to size limit of vector)

Double virus vector:

Vector 1 containing one expression cassette for driving the expression of Cas9

Promoter-Cas9 coding nucleic acid molecule-terminator

Vector 2 containing one more expression cassettes for driving the expression of one or more guideRNAs

Promoter-gRNA1-terminator

Promoter-gRNA(N)-terminator (up to size limit of vector)

To mediate homology-directed repair. In addition to the single and double virus vector approaches described above, an additional vector is used to deliver a homology-direct repair template.

Promoter used to drive Cas9 coding nucleic acid molecule expression can include:

AAV ITR can serve as a promoter: this is advantageous for eliminating the need for an additional promoter element (which can take up space in the vector). The additional space freed up can be used to drive the expression of additional elements (gRNA, etc.). Also, ITR activity is relatively weaker, so can be used to reduce toxicity due to over expression of Cas9.

For ubiquitous expression, can use promoters: CMV, CAG, CBh, PGK, SV40, Ferritin heavy or light chains, etc.

For brain expression, can use promoters: SynapsinI for all neurons, CaMKIIalpha for excitatory neurons, GAD67 or GAD65 or VGAT for GABAergic neurons, etc.

For liver expression, can use Albumin promoter.

For lung expression, can use SP-B.

For endothelial cells, can use ICAM.

For hematopoietic cells can use IFNbeta or CD45.

For Osteoblasts can use OG-2.

Promoter used to drive guide RNA can include:

Pol III promoters such as U6 or H1

Use of Pol II promoter and intronic cassettes to express gRNA

As to AAV, the AAV can be AAV1, AAV2, AAV5 or any combination thereof. One can select the AAV of the AAV with regard to the cells to be targeted; e.g., one can select AAV serotypes 1, 2, 5 or a hybrid capsid AAV1, AAV2, AAV5 or any combination thereof for targeting brain or neuronal cells; and one can select AAV4 for targeting cardiac tissue. AAV8 is useful for delivery to the liver. The above promoters and vectors are preferred individually.

RNA delivery is also a useful method of in vivo delivery. FIG. 27 shows delivery and in vivo mouse brain Cas9 expression data. It is possible to deliver Cas9 and gRNA (and, for instance, HR repair template) into cells using liposomes or nanoparticles. Thus delivery of the CRISPR enzyme, such as a Cas9 and/or delivery of the RNAs of the invention may be in RNA form and via microvesicles, liposomes or nanoparticles. For example, Cas9 mRNA and gRNA can be packaged into liposomal particles for delivery in vivo. Liposomal transfection reagents such as lipofectamine from Life Technologies and other reagents on the market can effectively deliver RNA molecules into the liver.

Enhancing NHEJ or HR efficiency is also helpful for delivery. It is preferred that NHEJ efficiency is enhanced by co-expressing end-processing enzymes such as Trex2 (Dumitrache et al. Genetics. 2011 August; 188(4): 787-797). It is preferred that HR efficiency is increased by transiently inhibiting NHEJ machineries such as Ku70 and Ku86. HR efficiency can also be increased by co-expressing prokaryotic or eukaryotic homologous recombination enzymes such as RecBCD, RecA.

Various means of delivery are described herein, and further discussed in this section.

Viral delivery: The CRISPR enzyme, for instance a Cas9, and/or any of the present RNAs, for instance a guide RNA, can be delivered using adeno associated virus (AAV), lentivirus, adenovirus or other viral vector types, or combinations thereof. Cas9 and one or more guide RNAs can be packaged into one or more viral vectors. In some embodiments, the viral vector is delivered to the tissue of interest by, for example, an intramuscular injection, while other times the viral delivery is via intravenous, transdermal, intranasal, oral, mucosal, or other delivery methods. Such delivery may be either via a single dose, or multiple doses. One skilled in the art understands that the actual dosage to be delivered herein may vary greatly depending upon a variety of factors, such as the vector chose, the target cell, organism, or tissue, the general condition of the subject to be treated, the degree of transformation/modification sought, the administration route, the administration mode, the type of transformation/modification sought, etc.

Such a dosage may further contain, for example, a carrier (water, saline, ethanol, glycerol, lactose, sucrose, calcium phosphate, gelatin, dextran, agar, pectin, peanut oil, sesame oil, etc.), a diluent, a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier (e.g., phosphate-buffered saline), a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient, and/or other compounds known in the art. Such a dosage formulation is readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art. The dosage may further contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable salts such as, for example, a mineral acid salt such as a hydrochloride, a hydrobromide, a phosphate, a sulfate, etc.; and the salts of organic acids such as acetates, propionates, malonates, benzoates, etc. Additionally, auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH buffering substances, gels or gelling materials, flavorings, colorants, microspheres, polymers, suspension agents, etc. may also be present herein. In addition, one or more other conventional pharmaceutical ingredients, such as preservatives, humectants, suspending agents, surfactants, antioxidants, anticaking agents, fillers, chelating agents, coating agents, chemical stabilizers, etc. may also be present, especially if the dosage form is a reconstitutable form. Suitable exemplary ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, polysorbate 80, phenylethyl alcohol, chlorobutanol, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, sulfur dioxide, propyl gallate, the parabens, ethyl vanillin, glycerin, phenol, parachlorophenol, gelatin, albumin and a combination thereof. A thorough discussion of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients is available in REMINGTON'S PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (Mack Pub. Co., N.J. 1991) which is incorporated by reference herein.

In an embodiment herein the delivery is via an adenovirus, which may be at a single booster dose containing at least 1×10⁵ particles (also referred to as particle units, pu) of adenoviral vector. In an embodiment herein, the dose preferably is at least about 1×10⁶ particles (for example, about 1×10⁶-1×10¹² particles), more preferably at least about 1×10⁷ particles, more preferably at least about 1×10⁸ particles (e.g., about 1×10⁸-1×10¹¹ particles or about 1×10⁸-1×10¹² particles), and most preferably at least about 1×10⁰ particles (e.g., about 1*×10⁹-1×10¹⁰ particles or about 1×10⁹-1×10¹² particles), or even at least about 1×10¹⁰ particles (e.g., about 1×10¹⁰-1×10¹² particles) of the adenoviral vector. Alternatively, the dose comprises no more than about 1×10¹⁴ particles, preferably no more than about 1×10¹³ particles, even more preferably no more than about 1×10¹² particles, even more preferably no more than about 1×10¹¹ particles, and most preferably no more than about 1×10¹⁰ particles (e.g., no more than about 1×10⁹ articles). Thus, the dose may contain a single dose of adenoviral vector with, for example, about 1×10⁶ particle units (pu), about 2×10⁶ pu, about 4×10⁶ pu, about 1×10⁷ pu, about 2×10⁷ pu, about 4×10⁷ pu, about 1×10⁸ pu, about 2×10⁸ pu, about 4×10⁸ pu, about 1×10⁹ pu, about 2×10⁹ pu, about 4×10⁹ pu, about 1×10¹⁰ pu, about 2×10¹⁰ pu, about 4×10¹⁰ pu, about 1×10¹¹ pu, about 2×10¹¹ pu, about 4×10¹¹ pu, about 1×10¹² pu, about 2×10¹² pu, or about 4×10¹² pu of adenoviral vector. See, for example, the adenoviral vectors in U.S. Pat. No. 8,454,972 B2 to Nabel, et. al., granted on Jun. 4, 2013; incorporated by reference herein, and the dosages at col 29, lines 36-58 thereof. In an embodiment herein, the adenovirus is delivered via multiple doses.

In an embodiment herein, the delivery is via an AAV. A therapeutically effective dosage for in vivo delivery of the AAV to a human is believed to be in the range of from about 20 to about 50 ml of saline solution containing from about 1×10¹⁰ to about 1×10¹⁰ functional AAV/ml solution. The dosage may be adjusted to balance the therapeutic benefit against any side effects. In an embodiment herein, the AAV dose is generally in the range of concentrations of from about 1×10⁵ to 1×10⁵⁰ genomes AAV, from about 1×10⁸ to 1×10²⁰ genomes AAV, from about 1×10¹⁰ to about 1×10¹⁶ genomes, or about 1×10¹¹ to about 1×10¹⁶ genomes AAV. A human dosage may be about 1×10¹³ genomes AAV. Such concentrations may be delivered in from about 0.001 ml to about 100 ml, about 0.05 to about 50 ml, or about 10 to about 25 ml of a carrier solution. Other effective dosages can be readily established by one of ordinary skill in the art through routine trials establishing dose response curves. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,404,658 B2 to Hajjar, et al., granted on Mar. 26, 2013, at col. 27, lines 45-60.

In an embodiment herein the delivery is via a plasmid. In such plasmid compositions, the dosage should be a sufficient amount of plasmid to elicit a response. For instance, suitable quantities of plasmid DNA in plasmid compositions can be from about 0.1 to about 2 mg, or from about 1 μg to about 10 μg.

The doses herein are based on an average 70 kg individual. The frequency of administration is within the ambit of the medical or veterinary practitioner (e.g., physician, veterinarian), or scientist skilled in the art. Mice used in experiments are about 20 g. From that which is administered to a 20 g mouse, one can extrapolate to a 70 kg individual.

Lentivirus

Lentiviruses are complex retroviruses that have the ability to infect and express their genes in both mitotic and post-mitotic cells. The most commonly known lentivirus is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which uses the envelope glycoproteins of other viruses to target a broad range of cell types.

Lentiviruses may be prepared as follows. After cloning pCasES10 (which contains a lentiviral transfer plasmid backbone), HEK293FT at low passage (p=5) were seeded in a T-75 flask to 50% confluence the day before transfection in DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum and without antibiotics. After 20 hours, media was changed to OptiMEM (serum-free) media and transfection was done 4 hours later. Cells were transfected with 10 μg of lentiviral transfer plasmid (pCasES10) and the following packaging plasmids: 5 μg of pMD2.G (VSV-g pseudotype), and 7.5 ug of psPAX2 (gag/pol/rev/tat). Transfection was done in 4 mL OptiMEM with a cationic lipid delivery agent (50 uL Lipofectamine 2000 and 100 ul Plus reagent). After 6 hours, the media was changed to antibiotic-free DMEM with 10% fetal bovine serum.

Lentivirus may be purified as follows. Viral supernatants were harvested after 48 hours. Supernatants were first cleared of debris and filtered through a 0.45 um low protein binding (PVDF) filter. They were then spun in a ultracentrifuge for 2 hours at 24,000 rpm. Viral pellets were resuspended in 50 ul of DMEM overnight at 4 C. They were then aliquotted and immediately frozen at −80 C.

In another embodiment, minimal non-primate lentiviral vectors based on the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) are also contemplated, especially for ocular gene therapy (see, e.g., Balagaan, J Gene Med 2006; 8: 275-285, Published online 21 Nov. 2005 in Wiley InterScience (interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jgm.845). In another embodiment, RetinoStat®, an equine infectious anemia virus-based lentiviral gene therapy vector that expresses angiostatic proteins endostain and angiostatin that is delivered via a subretinal injection for the treatment of the web form of age-related macular degeneration is also contemplated (see, e.g., Binley et al., HUMAN GENE THERAPY 23:980-991 (September 2012)) may be modified for the CRISPR-Cas system of the present invention.

In another embodiment, self-inactivating lentiviral vectors with an siRNA targeting a common exon shared by HIV tat/rev, a nucleolar-localizing TAR decoy, and an anti-CCR5-specific hammerhead ribozyme (see, e.g., DiGiusto et al. (2010) Sci Transl Med 2:36ra43) may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR-Cas system of the present invention. A minimum of 2.5×10⁶ CD34+ cells per kilogram patient weight may be collected and prestimulated for 16 to 20 hours in X-VIVO 15 medium (Lonza) containing 2 mML-glutamine, stem cell factor (100 ng/ml), Flt-3 ligand (Flt-3L) (100 ng/ml), and thrombopoietin (10 ng/ml) (CellGenix) at a density of 2×10⁶ cells/ml. Prestimulated cells may be transduced with lentiviral at a multiplicity of infection of 5 for 16 to 24 hours in 75-cm² tissue culture flasks coated with fibronectin (25 mg/cm²) (RetroNectin, Takara Bio Inc.).

Lentiviral vectors have been disclosed as in the treatment for Parkinson's Disease, see, e.g., US Patent Publication No. 20120295960 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,303,910 and 7,351,585. Lentiviral vectors have also been disclosed for the treatment of ocular diseases, see e.g., US Patent Publication Nos. 20060281180, 20090007284, US20110117189; US20090017543; US20070054961, US20100317109. Lentiviral vectors have also been disclosed for delivery to the train, see, e.g., US Patent Publication Nos. US20110293571; US20110293571, US20040013648, US20070025970, US20090111106 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,015.

RNA Delivery

RNA delivery: The CRISPR enzyme, for instance a Cas9, and/or any of the present RNAs, for instance a guide RNA, can also be delivered in the form of RNA. Cas9 mRNA can be generated using in vitro transcription. For example, Cas9 mRNA can be synthesized using a PCR cassette containing the following elements: T7_promoter-kozak sequence (GCCACC)-Cas9-3′ UTR from beta globin-polyA tail (a string of 120 or more adenines) (SEQ ID NO: 226). The cassette can be used for transcription by T7 polymerase. Guide RNAs can also be transcribed using in vitro transcription from a cassette containing T7_promoter-GG-guide RNA sequence.

To enhance expression and reduce toxicity, the CRISPR enzyme and/or guide RNA can be modified using pseudo-U or 5-Methyl-C.

mRNA delivery methods are especially promising for liver delivery currently. In particular, for AAV8 is particularly preferred for delivery to the liver.

Nanoparticles

CRISPR enzyme mRNA and guide RNA may be delivered simultaneously using nanoparticles or lipid envelopes.

For example, Su X, Fricke J, Kavanagh D G, Irvine D J (“In vitro and in vivo mRNA delivery using lipid-enveloped pH-responsive polymer nanoparticles” Mol Pharm. 2011 Jun. 6; 8(3):774-87. doi: 10.1021/mp100390w. Epub 2011 Apr. 1) describes biodegradable core-shell structured nanoparticles with a poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) core enveloped by a phospholipid bilayer shell. These were developed for in vivo mRNA delivery. The pH-responsive PBAE component was chosen to promote endosome disruption, while the lipid surface layer was selected to minimize toxicity of the polycation core. Such are, therefore, preferred for delivering RNA of the present invention.

In one embodiment, nanoparticles based on self assembling bioadhesive polymers are contemplated, which may be applied to oral delivery of peptides, intravenous delivery of peptides and nasal delivery of peptides, all to the brain. Other embodiments, such as oral absorption and ocular deliver of hydrophobic drugs are also contemplated. The molecular envelope technology involves an engineered polymer envelope which is protected and delivered to the site of the disease (see, e.g., Mazza, M. et al. ACSNano, 2013. 7(2): 1016-1026; Siew, A., et al. Mol Pharm, 2012. 9(1):14-28; Lalatsa, A., et al. J Contr Rel, 2012. 161(2):523-36; Lalatsa, A., et al., Mol Pharm, 2012. 9(6):1665-80; Lalatsa, A., et al. Mol Pharm, 2012. 9(6):1764-74; Garrett, N. L., et al. J Biophotonics, 2012. 5(5-6):458-68; Garrett, N. L., et al. J Raman Spect, 2012. 43(5):681-688; Ahmad, S., et al. J Royal Soc Interface 2010. 7:S423-33; Uchegbu, I. F. Expert Opin Drug Deliv, 2006. 3(5):629-40; Qu, X., et al. Biomacromolecules, 2006. 7(12):3452-9 and Uchegbu, I. F., et al. Int J Pharm, 2001. 224:185-199). Doses of about 5 mg/kg are contemplated, with single or multiple doses, depending on the target tissue.

In one embodiment, nanoparticles that can deliver RNA to a cancer cell to stop tumor growth developed by Dan Anderson's lab at MIT may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. In particular, the Anderson lab developed fully automated, combinatorial systems for the synthesis, purification, characterization, and formulation of new biomaterials and nanoformulations. See, e.g., Alabi et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2013 Aug. 6; 110(32):12881-6; Zhang et al., Adv Mater. 2013 Sep. 6; 25(33):4641-5; Jiang et al., Nano Lett. 2013 Mar. 13; 13(3):1059-64; Karagiannis et al., ACS Nano. 2012 Oct. 23; 6(10):8484-7; Whitehead et al., ACS Nano. 2012 Aug. 28; 6(8):6922-9 and Lee et al., Nat Nanotechnol. 2012 Jun. 3; 7(6):389-93.

US patent application 20110293703 relates to lipidoid compounds are also particularly useful in the administration of polynucleotides, which may be applied to deliver the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. In one aspect, the aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds are combined with an agent to be delivered to a cell or a subject to form microparticles, nanoparticles, liposomes, or micelles. The agent to be delivered by the particles, liposomes, or micelles may be in the form of a gas, liquid, or solid, and the agent may be a polynucleotide, protein, peptide, or small molecule. The minoalcohol lipidoid compounds may be combined with other aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds, polymers (synthetic or natural), surfactants, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, etc. to form the particles. These particles may then optionally be combined with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a pharmaceutical composition.

US Patent Publication No. 0110293703 also provides methods of preparing the aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds. One or more equivalents of an amine are allowed to react with one or more equivalents of an epoxide-terminated compound under suitable conditions to form an aminoalcohol lipidoid compound of the present invention. In certain embodiments, all the amino groups of the amine are fully reacted with the epoxide-terminated compound to form tertiary amines. In other embodiments, all the amino groups of the amine are not fully reacted with the epoxide-terminated compound to form tertiary amines thereby resulting in primary or secondary amines in the aminoalcohol lipidoid compound. These primary or secondary amines are left as is or may be reacted with another electrophile such as a different epoxide-terminated compound. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, reacting an amine with less than excess of epoxide-terminated compound will result in a plurality of different aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds with various numbers of tails. Certain amines may be fully functionalized with two epoxide-derived compound tails while other molecules will not be completely functionalized with epoxide-derived compound tails. For example, a diamine or polyamine may include one, two, three, or four epoxide-derived compound tails off the various amino moieties of the molecule resulting in primary, secondary, and tertiary amines. In certain embodiments, all the amino groups are not fully functionalized. In certain embodiments, two of the same types of epoxide-terminated compounds are used. In other embodiments, two or more different epoxide-terminated compounds are used. The synthesis of the aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds is performed with or without solvent, and the synthesis may be performed at higher temperatures ranging from 30.-100 C., preferably at approximately 50.-90 C. The prepared aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds may be optionally purified. For example, the mixture of aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds may be purified to yield an aminoalcohol lipidoid compound with a particular number of epoxide-derived compound tails. Or the mixture may be purified to yield a particular stereo- or regioisomer. The aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds may also be alkylated using an alkyl halide (e.g., methyl iodide) or other alkylating agent, and/or they may be acylated.

US Patent Publication No. 0110293703 also provides libraries of aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds prepared by the inventive methods. These aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds may be prepared and/or screened using high-throughput techniques involving liquid handlers, robots, microtiter plates, computers, etc. In certain embodiments, the aminoalcohol lipidoid compounds are screened for their ability to transfect polynucleotides or other agents (e.g., proteins, peptides, small molecules) into the cell.

US Patent Publication No. 20130302401 relates to a class of poly(beta-amino alcohols) (PBAAs) has been prepared using combinatorial polymerization. The inventive PBAAs may be used in biotechnology and biomedical applications as coatings (such as coatings of films or multilayer films for medical devices or implants), additives, materials, excipients, non-biofouling agents, micropatterning agents, and cellular encapsulation agents. When used as surface coatings, these PBAAs elicited different levels of inflammation, both in vitro and in vivo, depending on their chemical structures. The large chemical diversity of this class of materials allowed us to identify polymer coatings that inhibit macrophage activation in vitro. Furthermore, these coatings reduce the recruitment of inflammatory cells, and reduce fibrosis, following the subcutaneous implantation of carboxylated polystyrene microparticles. These polymers may be used to form polyelectrolyte complex capsules for cell encapsulation. The invention may also have many other biological applications such as antimicrobial coatings, DNA or siRNA delivery, and stem cell tissue engineering. The teachings of US Patent Publication No. 20130302401 may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

In another embodiment, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are contemplated. In particular, an antitransthyretin small interfering RNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (see, e.g., Coelho et al., N Engl J Med 2013; 369:819-29) may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. Doses of about 0.01 to about 1 mg per kg of body weight administered intravenously are contemplated. Medications to reduce the risk of infusion-related reactions are contemplated, such as dexamethasone, acetampinophen, diphenhydramine or cetirizine, and ranitidine are contemplated. Multiple doses of about 0.3 mg per kilogram every 4 weeks for five doses are also contemplated.

LNPs have been shown to be highly effective in delivering siRNAs to the liver (see, e.g., Tabernero et al., Cancer Discovery, April 2013, Vol. 3, No. 4, pages 363-470) and are therefore contemplated for delivering CRISPR Cas to the liver. A dosage of about four doses of 6 mg/kg of the LNP (or RNA of the CRISPR-Cas system) every two weeks may be contemplated. Tabernero et al. demonstrated that tumor regression was observed after the first 2 cycles of LNPs dosed at 0.7 mg/kg, and by the end of 6 cycles the patient had achieved a partial response with complete regression of the lymph node metastasis and substantial shrinkage of the liver tumors. A complete response was obtained after 40 doses in this patient, who has remained in remission and completed treatment after receiving doses over 26 months. Two patients with RCC and extrahepatic sites of disease including kidney, lung, and lymph nodes that were progressing following prior therapy with VEGF pathway inhibitors had stable disease at all sites for approximately 8 to 12 months, and a patient with PNET and liver metastases continued on the extension study for 18 months (36 doses) with stable disease.

However, the charge of the LNP must be taken into consideration. As cationic lipids combined with negatively charged lipids to induce nonbilayer structures that facilitate intracellular delivery. Because charged LNPs are rapidly cleared from circulation following intravenous injection, ionizable cationic lipids with pKa values below 7 were developed (see, e.g., Rosin et al, Molecular Therapy, vol. 19, no. 12, pages 1286-2200, December 2011). Negatively charged polymers such as siRNA oligonucleotides may be loaded into LNPs at low pH values (e.g., pH 4) where the ionizable lipids display a positive charge. However, at physiological pH values, the LNPs exhibit a low surface charge compatible with longer circulation times. Four species of ionizable cationic lipids have been focused upon, namely 1,2-dilineoyl-3-dimethylammonium-propane (DLinDAP), 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA), 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-keto-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane (DLinKDMA), and 1,2-dilinoleyl-4-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-[1,3]-dioxolane (DLinKC2-DMA). It has been shown that LNP siRNA systems containing these lipids exhibit remarkably different gene silencing properties in hepatocytes in vivo, with potencies varying according to the series DLinKC2-DMA>DLinKDMA>DLinDMA>>DLinDAP employing a Factor VII gene silencing model (see, e.g., Rosin et al, Molecular Therapy, vol. 19, no. 12, pages 1286-2200, December 2011). A dosage of 1 μg/ml levels may be contemplated, especially for a formulation containing DLinKC2-DMA.

Preparation of LNPs and CRISPR Cas encapsulation may be used/and or adapted from Rosin et al, Molecular Therapy, vol. 19, no. 12, pages 1286-2200, December 2011). The cationic lipids 1,2-dilineoyl-3-dimethylammonium-propane (DLinDAP), 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-N,N-dimethylaminopropane (DLinDMA), 1,2-dilinoleyloxyketo-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane (DLinK-DMA), 1,2-dilinoleyl-4-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-[1,3]-dioxolane (DLinKC2-DMA), (3-o-[2″-(methoxypolyethyleneglycol 2000) succinoyl]-1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycol (PEG-S-DMG), and R-3-[(o-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol)2000) carbamoyl]-1,2-dimyristyloxlpropyl-3-amine (PEG-C-DOMG) may be provided by Tekmira Pharmaceuticals (Vancouver, Canada) or synthesized. Cholesterol may be purchased from Sigma (St Louis, Mo.). The specific CRISPR Cas RNA may be encapsulated in LNPs containing DLinDAP, DLinDMA, DLinK-DMA, and DLinKC2-DMA (cationic lipid:DSPC:CHOL: PEGS-DMG or PEG-C-DOMG at 40:10:40:10 molar ratios). When required, 0.2% SP-DiOC18 (Invitrogen, Burlington, Canada) may be incorporated to assess cellular uptake, intracellular delivery, and biodistribution. Encapsulation may be performed by dissolving lipid mixtures comprised of cationic lipid:DSPC:cholesterol:PEG-c-DOMG (40:10:40:10 molar ratio) in ethanol to a final lipid concentration of 10 mmol/l. This ethanol solution of lipid may be added drop-wise to 50 mmol/l citrate, pH 4.0 to form multilamellar vesicles to produce a final concentration of 30% ethanol vol/vol. Large unilamellar vesicles may be formed following extrusion of multilamellar vesicles through two stacked 80 nm Nuclepore polycarbonate filters using the Extruder (Northern Lipids, Vancouver, Canada). Encapsulation may be achieved by adding RNA dissolved at 2 mg/ml in 50 mmol/l citrate, pH 4.0 containing 30% ethanol vol/vol drop-wise to extruded preformed large unilamellar vesicles and incubation at 31° C. for 30 minutes with constant mixing to a final RNA/lipid weight ratio of 0.06/1 wt/wt. Removal of ethanol and neutralization of formulation buffer were performed by dialysis against phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4 for 16 hours using Spectra/Por 2 regenerated cellulose dialysis membranes. Nanoparticle size distribution may be determined by dynamic light scattering using a NICOMP 370 particle sizer, the vesicle/intensity modes, and Gaussian fitting (Nicomp Particle Sizing, Santa Barbara, Calif.). The particle size for all three LNP systems may be −70 nm in diameter. siRNA encapsulation efficiency may be determined by removal of free siRNA using VivaPureD MiniH columns (Sartorius Stedim Biotech) from samples collected before and after dialysis. The encapsulated RNA may be extracted from the eluted nanoparticles and quantified at 260 nm. siRNA to lipid ratio was determined by measurement of cholesterol content in vesicles using the Cholesterol E enzymatic assay from Wako Chemicals USA (Richmond, Va.). PEGylated liposomes (or LNPs) can also be used for delivery.

Preparation of large LNPs may be used/and or adapted from Rosin et al, Molecular Therapy, vol. 19, no. 12, pages 1286-2200, December 2011. A lipid premix solution (20.4 mg/ml total lipid concentration) may be prepared in ethanol containing DLinKC2-DMA, DSPC, and cholesterol at 50:10:38.5 molar ratios. Sodium acetate may be added to the lipid premix at a molar ratio of 0.75:1 (sodium acetate:DLinKC2-DMA). The lipids may be subsequently hydrated by combining the mixture with 1.85 volumes of citrate buffer (10 mmol/l, pH 3.0) with vigorous stirring, resulting in spontaneous liposome formation in aqueous buffer containing 35% ethanol. The liposome solution may be incubated at 37° C. to allow for time-dependent increase in particle size. Aliquots may be removed at various times during incubation to investigate changes in liposome size by dynamic light scattering (Zetasizer Nano ZS, Malvern Instruments, Worcestershire, UK). Once the desired particle size is achieved, an aqueous PEG lipid solution (stock=10 mg/ml PEG-DMG in 35% (vol/vol) ethanol) may be added to the liposome mixture to yield a final PEG molar concentration of 3.5% of total lipid. Upon addition of PEG-lipids, the liposomes should their size, effectively quenching further growth. RNA may then be added to the empty liposomes at an siRNA to total lipid ratio of approximately 1:10 (wt:wt), followed by incubation for 30 minutes at 37° C. to form loaded LNPs. The mixture may be subsequently dialyzed overnight in PBS and filtered with a 0.45-μm syringe filter.

Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA™) constructs and other nanoparticles (particularly gold nanoparticles) are also contemplate as a means to delivery CRISPR/Cas system to intended targets. Significant data show that AuraSense Therapeutics' Spherical Nucleic Acid (SNA™) constructs, based upon nucleic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles, are superior to alternative platforms based on multiple key success factors, such as:

High in vivo stability. Due to their dense loading, a majority of cargo (DNA or siRNA) remains bound to the constructs inside cells, conferring nucleic acid stability and resistance to enzymatic degradation.

Deliverability. For all cell types studied (e.g., neurons, tumor cell lines, etc.) the constructs demonstrate a transfection efficiency of 99% with no need for carriers or transfection agents.

Therapeutic targeting. The unique target binding affinity and specificity of the constructs allow exquisite specificity for matched target sequences (i.e., limited off-target effects).

Superior efficacy. The constructs significantly outperform leading conventional transfection reagents (Lipofectamine 2000 and Cytofectin).

Low toxicity. The constructs can enter a variety of cultured cells, primary cells, and tissues with no apparent toxicity.

No significant immune response. The constructs elicit minimal changes in global gene expression as measured by whole-genome microarray studies and cytokine-specific protein assays.

Chemical tailorability. Any number of single or combinatorial agents (e.g., proteins, peptides, small molecules) can be used to tailor the surface of the constructs.

This platform for nucleic acid-based therapeutics may be applicable to numerous disease states, including inflammation and infectious disease, cancer, skin disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Citable literature includes: Cutler et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2011 133:9254-9257, Hao et al., Small. 2011 7:3158-3162, Zhang et al., ACS Nano. 2011 5:6962-6970, Cutler et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012 134:1376-1391, Young et al., Nano Lett. 2012 12:3867-71, Zheng et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2012 109:11975-80, Mirkin, Nanomedicine 2012 7:635-638 Zhang et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012 134:16488-1691, Weintraub, Nature 2013 495:S14-S16, Choi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2013 110(19):7625-7630, Jensen et al., Sci. Transl. Med. 5, 209ra152 (2013) and Mirkin, et al., Small, doi.org/10.1002/smll.201302143.

Self-assembling nanoparticles with siRNA may be constructed with polyethyleneimine (PEI) that is PEGylated with an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide ligand attached at the distal end of the polyethylene glycol (PEG), for example, as a means to target tumor neovasculature expressing integrins and used to deliver siRNA inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF R2) expression and thereby tumor angiogenesis (see, e.g., Schiffelers et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2004, Vol. 32, No. 19). Nanoplexes may be prepared by mixing equal volumes of aqueous solutions of cationic polymer and nucleic acid to give a net molar excess of ionizable nitrogen (polymer) to phosphate (nucleic acid) over the range of 2 to 6. The electrostatic interactions between cationic polymers and nucleic acid resulted in the formation of polyplexes with average particle size distribution of about 100 nm, hence referred to here as nanoplexes. A dosage of about 100 to 200 mg of CRISPR Cas is envisioned for delivery in the self-assembling nanoparticles of Schiffelers et al.

The nanoplexes of Bartlett et al. (PNAS, Sep. 25, 2007, vol. 104, no. 39) may also be applied to the present invention. The nanoplexes of Bartlett et al. are prepared by mixing equal volumes of aqueous solutions of cationic polymer and nucleic acid to give a net molar excess of ionizable nitrogen (polymer) to phosphate (nucleic acid) over the range of 2 to 6. The electrostatic interactions between cationic polymers and nucleic acid resulted in the formation of polyplexes with average particle size distribution of about 100 nm, hence referred to here as nanoplexes. The DOTA-siRNA of Bartlett et al. was synthesized as follows: 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid mono(N-hydroxysuccinimide ester) (DOTA-NHSester) was ordered from Macrocyclics (Dallas, Tex.). The amine modified RNA sense strand with a 100-fold molar excess of DOTA-NHS-ester in carbonate buffer (pH 9) was added to a microcentrifuge tube. The contents were reacted by stirring for 4 h at room temperature. The DOTA-RNAsense conjugate was ethanol-precipitated, resuspended in water, and annealed to the unmodified antisense strand to yield DOTA-siRNA. All liquids were pretreated with Chelex-100 (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.) to remove trace metal contaminants. Tf-targeted and nontargeted siRNA nanoparticles may be formed by using cyclodextrin-containing polycations. Typically, nanoparticles were formed in water at a charge ratio of 3 (+/−) and an siRNA concentration of 0.5 g/liter. One percent of the adamantane-PEG molecules on the surface of the targeted nanoparticles were modified with Tf (adamantane-PEG-Tf). The nanoparticles were suspended in a 5% (wt/vol) glucose carrier solution for injection.

Davis et al. (Nature, Vol 464, 15 Apr. 2010) conducts a siRNA clinical trial that uses a targeted nanoparticle-delivery system (clinical trial registration number NCT00689065). Patients with solid cancers refractory to standard-of-care therapies are administered doses of targeted nanoparticles on days 1, 3, 8 and 10 of a 21-day cycle by a 30-min intravenous infusion. The nanoparticles consist of a synthetic delivery system containing: (1) a linear, cyclodextrin-based polymer (CDP), (2) a human transferrin protein (TF) targeting ligand displayed on the exterior of the nanoparticle to engage TF receptors (TFR) on the surface of the cancer cells, (3) a hydrophilic polymer (polyethylene glycol (PEG) used to promote nanoparticle stability in biological fluids), and (4) siRNA designed to reduce the expression of the RRM2 (sequence used in the clinic was previously denoted siR2B+5). The TFR has long been known to be upregulated in malignant cells, and RRM2 is an established anti-cancer target. These nanoparticles (clinical version denoted as CALAA-01) have been shown to be well tolerated in multi-dosing studies in non-human primates. Although a single patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia has been administered siRNA by liposomal delivery, Davis et al.'s clinical trial is the initial human trial to systemically deliver siRNA with a targeted delivery system and to treat patients with solid cancer. To ascertain whether the targeted delivery system can provide effective delivery of functional siRNA to human tumours, Davis et al. investigated biopsies from three patients from three different dosing cohorts; patients A, B and C, all of whom had metastatic melanoma and received CALAA-01 doses of 18, 24 and 30 mg m² siRNA, respectively. Similar doses may also be contemplated for the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. The delivery of the invention may be achieved with nanoparticles containing a linear, cyclodextrin-based polymer (CDP), a human transferrin protein (TF) targeting ligand displayed on the exterior of the nanoparticle to engage TF receptors (TFR) on the surface of the cancer cells and/or a hydrophilic polymer (for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) used to promote nanoparticle stability in biological fluids).

Exosomes

Exosomes are endogenous nano-vesicles that transport RNAs and proteins which can deliver short interfering (si)RNA to the brain in mice. To reduce immunogenicity, Alvarez-Erviti et al. (2011, Nat Biotechnol 29: 341) used self-derived dendritic cells for exosome production. Targeting was achieved by engineering the dendritic cells to express Lamp2b, an exosomal membrane protein, fused to the neuron-specific RVG peptide. Purified exosomes were loaded with exogenous siRNA by electroporation. Intravenously injected RVG-targeted exosomes delivered GAPDH siRNA specifically to neurons, microglia, oligodendrocytes in the brain, resulting in a specific gene knockdown. Pre-exposure to RVG exosomes did not attenuate knockdown, and non-specific uptake in other tissues was not observed. The therapeutic potential of exosome-mediated siRNA delivery was demonstrated by the strong mRNA (60%) and protein (62%) knockdown of BACE1, a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease.

To obtain a pool of immunologically inert exosomes, Alvarez-Erviti et al. harvested bone marrow from inbred C57BL/6 mice with a homogenous major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype. As immature dendritic cells produce large quantities of exosomes devoid of T-cell activators such as MHC-II and CD86, Alvarez-Erviti et al. selected for dendritic cells with granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for 7 d. Exosomes were purified from the culture supernatant the following day using well-established ultracentrifugation protocols. The exosomes produced were physically homogenous, with a size distribution peaking at 80 nm in diameter as determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and electron microscopy. Alvarez-Erviti et al. obtained 6-12 μg of exosomes (measured based on protein concentration) per 10⁶ cells.

Next, Alvarez-Erviti et al. investigated the possibility of loading modified exosomes with exogenous cargoes using electroporation protocols adapted for nanoscale applications. As electroporation for membrane particles at the nanometer scale is not well-characterized, nonspecific Cy5-labeled siRNA was used for the empirical optimization of the electroporation protocol. The amount of encapsulated siRNA was assayed after ultracentrifugation and lysis of exosomes. Electroporation at 400 V and 125 μF resulted in the greatest retention of siRNA and was used for all subsequent experiments.

Alvarez-Erviti et al. administered 150 μg of each BACE1 siRNA encapsulated in 150 μg of RVG exosomes to normal C57BL/6 mice and compared the knockdown efficiency to four controls: untreated mice, mice injected with RVG exosomes only, mice injected with BACE1 siRNA complexed to an in vivo cationic liposome reagent and mice injected with BACE1 siRNA complexed to RVG-9R, the RVG pep tide conjugated to 9 D-arginines that electrostatically binds to the siRNA. Cortical tissue samples were analyzed 3 d after administration and a significant protein knockdown (45%, P<0.05, versus 62%, P<0.01) in both siRNA-RVG-9R-treated and siRNARVG exosome-treated mice was observed, resulting from a significant decrease in BACE1 mRNA levels (66% [+ or −] 15%, P<0.001 and 61% [+ or −] 13% respectively, P<0.01). Moreover, Applicants demonstrated a significant decrease (55%, P<0.05) in the total [beta]-amyloid 1-42 levels, a main component of the amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's pathology, in the RVG-exosome-treated animals. The decrease observed was greater than the p-amyloid 1-40 decrease demonstrated in normal mice after intraventricular injection of BACE1 inhibitors. Alvarez-Erviti et al. carried out 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) on BACE1 cleavage product, which provided evidence of RNAi-mediated knockdown by the siRNA.

Finally, Alvarez-Erviti et al. investigated whether siRNA-RVG exosomes induced immune responses in vivo by assessing IL-6, IP-10, TNFα and IFN-α serum concentrations. Following siRNA-RVG exosome treatment, nonsignificant changes in all cytokines were registered similar to siRNA-transfection reagent treatment in contrast to siRNA-RVG-9R, which potently stimulated IL-6 secretion, confirming the immunologically inert profile of the exosome treatment. Given that exosomes encapsulate only 20% of siRNA, delivery with RVG-exosome appears to be more efficient than RVG-9R delivery as comparable mRNA knockdown and greater protein knockdown was achieved with fivefold less siRNA without the corresponding level of immune stimulation. This experiment demonstrated the therapeutic potential of RVG-exosome technology, which is potentially suited for long-term silencing of genes related to neurodegenerative diseases. The exosome delivery system of Alvarez-Erviti et al. may be applied to deliver the CRISPR-Cas system of the present invention to therapeutic targets, especially neurodegenerative diseases. A dosage of about 100 to 1000 mg of CRISPR Cas encapsulated in about 100 to 1000 mg of RVG exosomes may be contemplated for the present invention.

El-Andaloussi et al. (Nature Protocols 7, 2112-2126(2012)) discloses how exosomes derived from cultured cells can be harnessed for delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo. This protocol first describes the generation of targeted exosomes through transfection of an expression vector, comprising an exosomal protein fused with a peptide ligand. Next, El-Andaloussi et al. explain how to purify and characterize exosomes from transfected cell supernatant. Next, El-Andaloussi et al. detail crucial steps for loading siRNA into exosomes. Finally, El-Andaloussi et al. outline how to use exosomes to efficiently deliver siRNA in vitro and in vivo in mouse brain. Examples of anticipated results in which exosome-mediated siRNA delivery is evaluated by functional assays and imaging are also provided. The entire protocol takes ˜3 weeks. Delivery or administration according to the invention may be performed using exosomes produced from self-derived dendritic cells.

In another embodiment, the plasma exosomes of Wahlgren et al. (Nucleic Acids Research, 2012, Vol. 40, No. 17 e130) are contemplated. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles (30-90 nm in size) produced by many cell types, including dendritic cells (DC), B cells, T cells, mast cells, epithelial cells and tumor cells. These vesicles are formed by inward budding of late endosomes and are then released to the extracellular environment upon fusion with the plasma membrane. Because exosomes naturally carry RNA between cells, this property might be useful in gene therapy.

Exosomes from plasma are prepared by centrifugation of buffy coat at 900 g for 20 min to isolate the plasma followed by harvesting cell supernatants, centrifuging at 300 g for 10 min to eliminate cells and at 16 500 g for 30 min followed by filtration through a 0.22 mm filter. Exosomes are pelleted by ultracentrifugation at 120 000 g for 70 min. Chemical transfection of siRNA into exosomes is carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions in RNAi Human/Mouse Starter Kit (Quiagen, Hilden, Germany). siRNA is added to 100 ml PBS at a final concentration of 2 mmol/ml. After adding HiPerFect transfection reagent, the mixture is incubated for 10 min at RT. In order to remove the excess of micelles, the exosomes are re-isolated using aldehyde/sulfate latex beads. The chemical transfection of CRISPR Cas into exosomes may be conducted similarly to siRNA. The exosomes may be co-cultured with monocytes and lymphocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. Therefore, it may be contemplated that exosomes containing CRISPR Cas may be introduced to monocytes and lymphocytes of and autologously reintroduced into a human. Accordingly, delivery or administration according to the invention may be performed using plasma exosomes.

Liposomes

Delivery or administration according to the invention can be performed with liposomes. Liposomes are spherical vesicle structures composed of a uni- or multilamellar lipid bilayer surrounding internal aqueous compartments and a relatively impermeable outer lipophilic phospholipid bilayer. Liposomes have gained considerable attention as drug delivery carriers because they are biocompatible, nontoxic, can deliver both hydrophilic and lipophilic drug molecules, protect their cargo from degradation by plasma enzymes, and transport their load across biological membranes and the blood brain barrier (BBB) (see, e.g., Spuch and Navarro, Journal of Drug Delivery, vol. 2011, Article ID 469679, 12 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/469679 for review).

Liposomes can be made from several different types of lipids; however, phospholipids are most commonly used to generate liposomes as drug carriers. Although liposome formation is spontaneous when a lipid film is mixed with an aqueous solution, it can also be expedited by applying force in the form of shaking by using a homogenizer, sonicator, or an extrusion apparatus (see, e.g., Spuch and Navarro, Journal of Drug Delivery, vol. 2011, Article ID 469679, 12 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/469679 for review).

Several other additives may be added to liposomes in order to modify their structure and properties. For instance, either cholesterol or sphingomyelin may be added to the liposomal mixture in order to help stabilize the liposomal structure and to prevent the leakage of the liposomal inner cargo. Further, liposomes are prepared from hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholine or egg phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, and dicetyl phosphate, and their mean vesicle sizes were adjusted to about 50 and 100 nm. (see, e.g., Spuch and Navarro, Journal of Drug Delivery, vol. 2011, Article ID 469679, 12 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/469679 for review).

Conventional liposome formulation is mainly comprised of natural phospholipids and lipids such as 1,2-distearoryl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl choline (DSPC), sphingomyelin, egg phosphatidylcholines and monosialoganglioside. Since this formulation is made up of phospholipids only, liposomal formulations have encountered many challenges, one of the ones being the instability in plasma. Several attempts to overcome these challenges have been made, specifically in the manipulation of the lipid membrane. One of these attempts focused on the manipulation of cholesterol. Addition of cholesterol to conventional formulations reduces rapid release of the encapsulated bioactive compound into the plasma or 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) increases the stability (see, e.g., Spuch and Navarro, Journal of Drug Delivery, vol. 2011, Article ID 469679, 12 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/469679 for review).

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, Trojan Horse liposomes (also known as Molecular Trojan Horses) are desirable and protocols may be found at cshprotocols.cship.org/content2010/4/pdb.protS407 long. These particles allow delivery of a transgene to the entire brain after an intravascular injection. Without being bound by limitation, it is believed that neutral lipid particles with specific antibodies conjugated to surface allow crossing of the blood brain barrier via endocytosis. Applicant postulates utilizing Trojan Horse Liposomes to deliver the CRISPR family of nucleases to the brain via an intravascular injection, which would allow whole brain transgenic animals without the need for embryonic manipulation. About 1-5 g of nucleic acid molecules, e.g, DNA or RNA, may be contemplated for in vivo administration in liposomes.

In another embodiment, the CRISPR Cas system may be administered in liposomes, such as a stable nucleic-acid-lipid particle (SNALP) (see, e.g., Morrissey et al., Nature Biotechnology, Vol. 23, No. 8, August 2005). Daily intravenous injections of about 1, 3 or 5 mg/kg/day of a specific CRISPR Cas targeted in a SNALP are contemplated. The daily treatment may be over about three days and then weekly for about five weeks. In another embodiment, a specific CRISPR Cas encapsulated SNALP) administered by intravenous injection to at doses of abpit 1 or 2.5 mg/kg are also contemplated (see, e.g., Zimmerman et al., Nature Letters, Vol. 441, 4 May 2006). The SNALP formulation may contain the lipids 3-N-[(wumethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) 2000) carbamoyl]-!, 2-dimyristyloxy-propylamine (PEG-C-DMA), 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-N,N-dimethyl-3-aminopropane (DLinDMA), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) and cholesterol, in a 2:40:10:48 molar percent ratio (see, e.g., Zimmerman et al., Nature Letters, Vol. 441, 4 May 2006).

In another embodiment, stable nucleic-acid-lipid particles (SNALPs) have proven to be effective delivery molecules to highly vascularized HepG2-derived liver tumors but not in poorly vascularized HCT-116 derived liver tumors (see, e.g., Li, Gene Therapy (2012) 19, 775-780). The SNALP liposomes may be prepared by formulating D-Lin-DMA and PEG-C-DMA with distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), Cholesterol and siRNA using a 25:1 lipid/siRNA ratio and a 48/40/10/2 molar ratio of Cholesterol/D-Lin-DMA/DSPC/PEG-C-DMA. The resulted SNALP liposomes are about 80-100 nm in size.

In yet another embodiment, a SNALP may comprise synthetic cholesterol (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, Mo., USA), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (Avanti Polar Lipids, Alabaster, Ala., USA), 3-N-[(w-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)2000)carbamoyl]-1,2-dimyrestyloxypropylamine, and cationic 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-N,Ndimethylaminopropane (see, e.g., Geisbert et al., Lancet 2010; 375: 1896-905). A dosage of about 2 mg/kg total CRISPR Cas per dose administered as, for example, a bolus intravenous infusion may be contemplated.

In yet another embodiment, a SNALP may comprise synthetic cholesterol (Sigma-Aldrich), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC; Avanti Polar Lipids Inc.), PEG-cDMA, and 1,2-dilinoleyloxy-3-(N;N-dimethyl)aminopropane (DLinDMA) (see, e.g., Judge, J. Clin. Invest. 119:661-673 (2009)). Formulations used for in vivo studies may comprise a final lipid/RNA mass ratio of about 9:1.

The safety profile of RNAi nanomedicines has been reviewed by Barros and Gollob of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (see, e.g., Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 64 (2012) 1730-1737). The stable nucleic acid lipid particle (SNALP) is comprised of four different lipids—an ionizable lipid (DLinDMA) that is cationic at low pH, a neutral helper lipid, cholesterol, and a diffusible polyethylene glycol (PEG)-lipid. The particle is approximately 80 nm in diameter and is charge-neutral at physiologic pH. During formulation, the ionizable lipid serves to condense lipid with the anionic siRNA during particle formation. When positively charged under increasingly acidic endosomal conditions, the ionizable lipid also mediates the fusion of SNALP with the endosomal membrane enabling release of siRNA into the cytoplasm. The PEG-lipid stabilizes the particle and reduces aggregation during formulation, and subsequently provides a neutral hydrophilic exterior that improves pharmacokinetic properties.

To date, two clinical programs have been initiated using SNALPsiRNA formulations. Tekmira Pharmaceuticals recently completed a phase I single-dose study of SNALP-ApoB in adult volunteers with elevated LDL cholesterol. ApoB is predominantly expressed in the liver and jejunum and is essential for the assembly and secretion of VLDL and LDL. ApoB is also successfully targeted by Applicants' CRISPR-Cas systems, see examples 37-38. Seventeen subjects received a single dose of SNALP-ApoB (dose escalation across 7 dose levels). There was no evidence of liver toxicity (anticipated as the potential dose-limiting toxicity based on preclinical studies). One (of two) subjects at the highest dose experienced flu-like symptoms consistent with immune system stimulation, and the decision was made to conclude the trial.

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has similarly advanced ALN-TTR01, which employs the SNALP technology described above and targets hepatocyte production of both mutant and wild-type TTR to treat TTR amyloidosis (ATTR). Three ATTR syndromes have been described: familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) and familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC)—both caused by autosomal dominant mutations in TTR; and senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA) cause by wildtype TTR. A placebo-controlled, single dose-escalation phase I trial of ALN-TTR01 was recently completed in patients with ATTR. ALN-TTR01 was administered as a 15-minute IV infusion to 31 patients (23 with study drug and 8 with placebo) within a dose range of 0.01 to 1.0 mg/kg (based on siRNA). Treatmentwaswell tolerated with no significant increases in liver function tests. Infusion-related reactions were noted in 3 of 23 patients at ≥0.4 mg/kg; all responded to slowing of the infusion rate and all continued on study. Minimal and transient elevations of serum cytokines IL-6, IP-10 and IL-Ira were noted in two patients at the highest dose of 1 mg/kg (as anticipated from preclinical and NHP studies). Lowering of serum TTR, the expected pharmacodynamics effect of ALN-TTR01, was observed at 1 mg/kg.

In yet another embodiment, a SNALP may be made by solubilizing a cationic lipid, DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid were solubilized in ethanol at a molar ratio of 40:10:40:10, respectively (see, Semple et al., Nature Niotechnology, Volume 28 Number 2 Feb. 2010, pp. 172-177). The lipid mixture was added to an aqueous buffer (50 mM citrate, pH 4) with mixing to a final ethanol and lipid concentration of 30% (vol/vol) and 6.1 mg/ml, respectively, and allowed to equilibrate at 22° C. for 2 min before extrusion. The hydrated lipids were extruded through two stacked 80 nm pore-sized filters (Nuclepore) at 22° C. using a Lipex Extruder (Northern Lipids) until a vesicle diameter of 70-90 nm, as determined by dynamic light scattering analysis, was obtained. This generally required 1-3 passes. The siRNA (solubilized in a 50 mM citrate, pH 4 aqueous solution containing 30% ethanol) was added to the pre-equilibrated (35° C.) vesicles at a rate of ˜5 ml/min with mixing. After a final target siRNA/lipid ratio of 0.06 (wt/wt) was reached, the mixture was incubated for a further 30 min at 35° C. to allow vesicle reorganization and encapsulation of the siRNA. The ethanol was then removed and the external buffer replaced with PBS (155 mM NaCl, 3 mM Na2HPO4, 1 mM KH2PO4, pH 7.5) by either dialysis or tangential flow diafiltration. siRNA were encapsulated in SNALP using a controlled step-wise dilution method process. The lipid constituents of KC2-SNALP were DLin-KC2-DMA (cationic lipid), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC; Avanti Polar Lipids), synthetic cholesterol (Sigma) and PEG-C-DMA used at a molar ratio of 57.1:7.1:34.3:1.4. Upon formation of the loaded particles, SNALP were dialyzed against PBS and filter sterilized through a 0.2 μm filter before use. Mean particle sizes were 75-85 nm and 90-95% of the siRNA was encapsulated within the lipid particles. The final siRNA/lipid ratio in formulations used for in vivo testing was ˜0.15 (wt/wt). LNP-siRNA systems containing Factor VII siRNA were diluted to the appropriate concentrations in sterile PBS immediately before use and the formulations were administered intravenously through the lateral tail vein in a total volume of 10 ml/kg. This method may be extrapolated to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Other Lipids

Other cationic lipids, such as amino lipid 2,2-dilinoleyl-4-dimethylaminoethyl-[1,3]-dioxolane (DLin-KC2-DMA) may be utilized to encapsulate CRISPR Cas similar to SiRNA (see, e.g., Jayaraman, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 8529-8533). A preformed vesicle with the following lipid composition may be contemplated: amino lipid, distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC), cholesterol and (R)-2,3-bis(octadecyloxy) propyl-1-(methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)2000)propylcarbamate (PEG-lipid) in the molar ratio 40/10/40/10, respectively, and a FVII siRNA/total lipid ratio of approximately 0.05 (w/w). To ensure a narrow particle size distribution in the range of 70-90 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.11_0.04 (n=56), the particles may be extruded up to three times through 80 nm membranes prior to adding the CRISPR Cas RNA. Particles containing the highly potent amino lipid 16 may be used, in which the molar ratio of the four lipid components 16, DSPC, cholesterol and PEG-lipid (50/10/38.5/1.5) which may be further optimized to enhance in vivo activity.

Michael S D Kormann et al. (“Expression of therapeutic proteins after delivery of chemically modified mRNA in mice: Nature Biotechnology, Volume:29, Pages: 154-157 (2011) Published online 9 Jan. 2011) describes the use of lipid envelopes to deliver RNA. Use of lipid envelopes is also preferred in the present invention.

In another embodiment, lipids may be formulated with the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention to form lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Lipids include, but are not limited to, DLin-KC2-DMA4, C12-200 and colipids disteroylphosphatidyl choline, cholesterol, and PEG-DMG may be formulated with CRISPR Cas instead of siRNA (see, e.g., Novobrantseva, Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids (2012) 1, e4; doi:10.1038/mtna.2011.3) using a spontaneous vesicle formation procedure. The component molar ratio may be about 50/10/38.5/1.5 (DLin-KC2-DMA or Cl2-200/disteroylphosphatidyl choline/cholesterol/PEG-DMG). The final lipid:siRNA weight ratio may be ˜12:1 and 9:1 in the case of DLin-KC2-DMA and C12-200 lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), respectively. The formulations may have mean particle diameters of ˜80 nm with >90% entrapment efficiency. A 3 mg/kg dose may be contemplated.

Tekmira has a portfolio of approximately 95 patent families, in the U.S. and abroad, that are directed to various aspects of LNPs and LNP formulations (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,982,027; 7,799,565; 8,058,069; 8,283,333; 7,901,708; 7,745,651; 7,803,397; 8,101,741; 8,188,263; 7,915,399; 8,236,943 and 7,838,658 and European Pat. Nos 0.1766035; 1519714; 1781593 and 1664316), all of which may be used/and or adapted to the present invention.

The CRISPR Cas system may be delivered encapsulated in PLGA Microspheres such as that further described in US published applications 20130252281 and 20130245107 and 20130244279 (assigned to Moderna Therapeutics) which relate to aspects of formulation of compositions comprising modified nucleic acid molecules which may encode a protein, a protein precursor, or a partially or fully processed form of the protein or a protein precursor. The formulation may have a molar ratio 50:10:38.5:1.5-3.0 (cationic lipid:fusogenic lipid:cholesterol:PEG lipid). The PEG lipid may be selected from, but is not limited to PEG-c-DOMG, PEG-DMG. The fusogenic lipid may be DSPC. See also, Schrum et al., Delivery and Formulation of Engineered Nucleic Acids, US published application 20120251618.

Nanomerics' technology addresses bioavailability challenges for a broad range of therapeutics, including low molecular weight hydrophobic drugs, peptides, and nucleic acid based therapeutics (plasmid, siRNA, miRNA). Specific administration routes for which the technology has demonstrated clear advantages include the oral route, transport across the blood-brain-barrier, delivery to solid tumours, as well as to the eye. See, e.g., Mazza et al., 2013, ACS Nano. 2013 Feb. 26; 7(2):1016-26; Uchegbu and Siew, 2013, J Pharm Sci. 102(2):305-10 and Lalatsa et al., 2012, J Control Release. 2012 Jul. 20; 161(2):523-36.

US Patent Publication No. 20050019923 describes cationic dendrimers for delivering bioactive molecules, such as polynucleotide molecules, peptides and polypeptides and/or pharmaceutical agents, to a mammalian body. The dendrimers are suitable for targeting the delivery of the bioactive molecules to, for example, the liver, spleen, lung, kidney or heart. Dendrimers are synthetic 3-dimensional macromolecules that are prepared in a step-wise fashion from simple branched monomer units, the nature and functionality of which can be easily controlled and varied. Dendrimers are synthesised from the repeated addition of building blocks to a multifunctional core (divergent approach to synthesis), or towards a multifunctional core (convergent approach to synthesis) and each addition of a 3-dimensional shell of building blocks leads to the formation of a higher generation of the dendrimers. Polypropylenimine dendrimers start from a diaminobutane core to which is added twice the number of amino groups by a double Michael addition of acrylonitrile to the primary amines followed by the hydrogenation of the nitriles. This results in a doubling of the amino groups. Polypropylenimine dendrimers contain 100% protonable nitrogens and up to 64 terminal amino groups (generation 5, DAB 64). Protonable groups are usually amine groups which are able to accept protons at neutral pH. The use of dendrimers as gene delivery agents has largely focused on the use of the polyamidoamine. and phosphorous containing compounds with a mixture of amine/amide or N—P(O₂)S as the conjugating units respectively with no work being reported on the use of the lower generation polypropylenimine dendrimers for gene delivery. Polypropylenimine dendrimers have also been studied as pH sensitive controlled release systems for drug delivery and for their encapsulation of guest molecules when chemically modified by peripheral amino acid groups. The cytotoxicity and interaction of polypropylenimine dendrimers with DNA as well as the transfection efficacy of DAB 64 has also been studied.

US Patent Publication No. 20050019923 is based upon the observation that, contrary to earlier reports, cationic dendrimers, such as polypropylenimine dendrimers, display suitable properties, such as specific targeting and low toxicity, for use in the targeted delivery of bioactive molecules, such as genetic material. In addition, derivatives of the cationic dendrimer also display suitable properties for the targeted delivery of bioactive molecules. See also, Bioactive Polymers, US published application 20080267903, which discloses “Various polymers, including cationic polyamine polymers and dendrimeric polymers, are shown to possess anti-proliferative activity, and may therefore be useful for treatment of disorders characterised by undesirable cellular proliferation such as neoplasms and tumours, inflammatory disorders (including autoimmune disorders), psoriasis and atherosclerosis. The polymers may be used alone as active agents, or as delivery vehicles for other therapeutic agents, such as drug molecules or nucleic acids for gene therapy. In such cases, the polymers' own intrinsic anti-tumour activity may complement the activity of the agent to be delivered.”

Supercharged Proteins

Supercharged proteins are a class of engineered or naturally occurring proteins with unusually high positive or negative net theoretical charge. Both supernegatively and superpositively charged proteins exhibit a remarkable ability to withstand thermally or chemically induced aggregation. Superpositively charged proteins are also able to penetrate mammalian cells. Associating cargo with these proteins, such as plasmid DNA, siRNA, or other proteins, can enable the functional delivery of these macromolecules into mammalian cells both in vitro and in vivo. David Liu's lab reported the creation and characterization of supercharged proteins in 2007 (Lawrence et al., 2007, Journal of the American Chemical Society 129, 10110-10112).

The nonviral delivery of siRNA and plasmid DNA into mammalian cells are valuable both for research and therapeutic applications (Akinc et al., 2010, Nat. Biotech. 26, 561-569). Purified +36 GFP protein (or other superpositively charged protein) is mixed with siRNAs in the appropriate serum-free media and allowed to complex prior addition to cells. Inclusion of serum at this stage inhibits formation of the supercharged protein-siRNA complexes and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. The following protocol has been found to be effective for a variety of cell lines (McNaughton et al., 2009, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 6111-6116). However, pilot experiments varying the dose of protein and siRNA should be performed to optimize the procedure for specific cell lines.

(1) One day before treatment, plate 1×10⁵ cells per well in a 48-well plate.

(2) On the day of treatment, dilute purified +36 GFP protein in serum free media to a final concentration 200 nM. Add siRNA to a final concentration of 50 nM. Vortex to mix and incubate at room temperature for 10 min.

(3) During incubation, aspirate media from cells and wash once with PBS.

(4) Following incubation of +36 GFP and siRNA, add the protein-siRNA complexes to cells.

(5) Incubate cells with complexes at 37 C for 4 h.

(6) Following incubation, aspirate the media and wash three times with 20 U/mL heparin PBS. Incubate cells with serum-containing media for a further 48 h or longer depending upon the assay for knockdown.

(7) Analyze cells by immunoblot, qPCR, phenotypic assay, or other appropriate method.

It has been found that +36 GFP is an effective plasmid delivery reagent in a range of cells. As plasmid DNA is a larger cargo than siRNA, proportionately more +36 GFP protein is required to effectively complex plasmids. For effective plasmid delivery Applicants have developed a variant of +36 GFP bearing a C-terminal HA2 peptide tag, a known endosome-disrupting peptide derived from the influenza virus hemagglutinin protein. The following protocol has been effective in a variety of cells, but as above it is advised that plasmid DNA and supercharged protein doses be optimized for specific cell lines and delivery applications.

(1) One day before treatment, plate 1×10⁵ per well in a 48-well plate.

(2) On the day of treatment, dilute purified

36 GFP protein in serum free media to a final concentration 2 mM. Add 1 mg of plasmid DNA. Vortex to mix and incubate at room temperature for 10 min.

(3) During incubation, aspirate media from cells and wash once with PBS.

(4) Following incubation of

36 GFP and plasmid DNA, gently add the protein-DNA complexes to cells.

(5) Incubate cells with complexes at 37 C for 4 h.

(6) Following incubation, aspirate the media and wash with PBS. Incubate cells in serum-containing media and incubate for a further 24-48 h.

(7) Analyze plasmid delivery (e.g., by plasmid-driven gene expression) as appropriate.

See also, e.g., McNaughton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106, 6111-6116 (2009); Cronican et al., ACS Chemical Biology 5, 747-752 (2010); Cronican et al., Chemistry & Biology 18, 833-838 (2011); Thompson et al., Methods in Enzymology 503, 293-319 (2012); Thompson, D. B., et al., Chemistry & Biology 19 (7), 831-843 (2012). The methods of the super charged proteins may be used and/or adapted for delivery of the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Cell Penetrating Peptides

In yet another embodiment, cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) are contemplated for the delivery of the CRISPR Cas system. CPPs are short peptides that facilitate cellular uptake of various molecular cargo (from nanosize particles to small chemical molecules and large fragments of DNA). The term “cargo” as used herein includes but is not limited to the group consisting of therapeutic agents, diagnostic probes, peptides, nucleic acids, antisense oligonucleotides, plasmids, proteins, nanoparticles, liposomes, chromophores, small molecules and radioactive materials. In aspects of the invention, the cargo may also comprise any component of the CRISPR Cas system or the entire functional CRISPR Cas system. Aspects of the present invention further provide methods for delivering a desired cargo into a subject comprising: (a) preparing a complex comprising the cell penetrating peptide of the present invention and a desired cargo, and (b) orally, intraarticularly, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, intrarterially, intranasally, intraparenchymally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, dermally, intrarectally, or topically administering the complex to a subject. The cargo is associated with the peptides either through chemical linkage via covalent bonds or through non-covalent interactions.

The function of the CPPs are to deliver the cargo into cells, a process that commonly occurs through endocytosis with the cargo delivered to the endosomes of living mammalian cells. Cell-penetrating peptides are of different sizes, amino acid sequences, and charges but all CPPs have one distinct characteristic, which is the ability to translocate the plasma membrane and facilitate the delivery of various molecular cargoes to the cytoplasm or an organelle. CPP translocation may be classified into three main entry mechanisms: direct penetration in the membrane, endocytosis-mediated entry, and translocation through the formation of a transitory structure. CPPs have found numerous applications in medicine as drug delivery agents in the treatment of different diseases including cancer and virus inhibitors, as well as contrast agents for cell labeling. Examples of the latter include acting as a carrier for GFP, MRI contrast agents, or quantum dots. CPPs hold great potential as in vitro and in vivo delivery vectors for use in research and medicine. CPPs typically have an amino acid composition that either contains a high relative abundance of positively charged amino acids such as lysine or arginine or has sequences that contain an alternating pattern of polar/charged amino acids and non-polar, hydrophobic amino acids. These two types of structures are referred to as polycationic or amphipathic, respectively. A third class of CPPs are the hydrophobic peptides, containing only apolar residues, with low net charge or have hydrophobic amino acid groups that are crucial for cellular uptake. One of the initial CPPs discovered was the trans-activating transcriptional activator (Tat) from Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) which was found to be efficiently taken up from the surrounding media by numerous cell types in culture. Since then, the number of known CPPs has expanded considerably and small molecule synthetic analogues with more effective protein transduction properties have been generated. CPPs include but are not limited to Penetratin, Tat (48-60), Transportan, and (R-AhX-R₄) (Ahx=aminohexanoyl) (SEQ ID NO: 574).

U.S. Pat. No. 8,372,951 provides a CPP derived from eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) which exhibits highly cell-penetrating efficiency and low toxicity. Aspects of delivering the CPP with its cargo into a vertebrate subject are also provided. Further aspects of CPPs and their delivery that may be in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,575,305; 8,614,194 and 8,044,019.

That CPPs can be employed to deliver the CRISPR-Cas system is also provided in the manuscript “Gene disruption by cell-penetrating peptide-mediated delivery of Cas9 protein and guide RNA”, by Suresh Ramakrishna, Abu-Bonsrah Kwaku Dad, Jagadish Beloor, et al. Genome Res. 2014 Apr. 2. [Epub ahead of print], incorporated by reference in its entirety, wherein it is demonstrated that treatment with CPP-conjugated recombinant Cas9 protein and CPP-complexed guide RNAs lead to endogenous gene disruptions in human cell lines. In the paper the Cas9 protein was conjugated to CPP via a thioether bond, whereas the guide RNA was complexed with CPP, forming condensed, positively charged nanoparticles. It was shown that simultaneous and sequential treatment of human cells, including embryonic stem cells, dermal fibroblasts, HEK293T cells, HeLa cells, and embryonic carcinoma cells, with the modified Cas9 and guide RNA led to efficient gene disruptions with reduced off-target mutations relative to plasmid transfections.

Implantable Devices

In another embodiment, implantable devices are also contemplated for delivery of the CRISPR Cas system. For example, US Patent Publication 20110195123 discloses an implantable medical device which elutes a drug locally and in prolonged period is provided, including several types of such a device, the treatment modes of implementation and methods of implantation. The device comprising of polymeric substrate, such as a matrix for example, that is used as the device body, and drugs, and in some cases additional scaffolding materials, such as metals or additional polymers, and materials to enhance visibility and imaging. The selection of drug is based on the advantageous of releasing drug locally and in prolonged period, where drug is released directly to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the diseased area such as tumor, inflammation, degeneration or for symptomatic objectives, or to injured smooth muscle cells, or for prevention. One kind of drug is the gene silencing drugs based on RNA interference (RNAi), including but not limited to si RNA, sh RNA, or antisense RNA/DNA, ribozyme and nucleoside analogs. Therefore, this system may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. The modes of implantation in some embodiments are existing implantation procedures that are developed and used today for other treatments, including brachytherapy and needle biopsy. In such cases the dimensions of the new implant described in this invention are similar to the original implant. Typically a few devices are implanted during the same treatment procedure.

As described in US Patent Publication 20110195123, there is provided a drug delivery implantable or insertable system, including systems applicable to a cavity such as the abdominal cavity and/or any other type of administration in which the drug delivery system is not anchored or attached, comprising a biostable and/or degradable and/or bioabsorbable polymeric substrate, which may for example optionally be a matrix. It should be noted that the term “insertion” also includes implantation. The drug delivery system is preferably implemented as a “Loder” as described in US Patent Publication 20110195123.

The polymer or plurality of polymers are biocompatible, incorporating an agent and/or plurality of agents, enabling the release of agent at a controlled rate, wherein the total volume of the polymeric substrate, such as a matrix for example, in some embodiments is optionally and preferably no greater than a maximum volume that permits a therapeutic level of the agent to be reached. As a non-limiting example, such a volume is preferably within the range of 0.1 m³ to 1000 mm³, as required by the volume for the agent load. The Loder may optionally be larger, for example when incorporated with a device whose size is determined by functionality, for example and without limitation, a knee joint, an intra-uterine or cervical ring and the like.

The drug delivery system (for delivering the composition) is designed in some embodiments to preferably employ degradable polymers, wherein the main release mechanism is bulk erosion; or in some embodiments, non degradable, or slowly degraded polymers are used, wherein the main release mechanism is diffusion rather than bulk erosion, so that the outer part functions as membrane, and its internal part functions as a drug reservoir, which practically is not affected by the surroundings for an extended period (for example from about a week to about a few months). Combinations of different polymers with different release mechanisms may also optionally be used. The concentration gradient at the surface is preferably maintained effectively constant during a significant period of the total drug releasing period, and therefore the diffusion rate is effectively constant (termed “zero mode” diffusion). By the term “constant” it is meant a diffusion rate that is preferably maintained above the lower threshold of therapeutic effectiveness, but which may still optionally feature an initial burst and/or fluctuate, for example increasing and decreasing to a certain degree. The diffusion rate is preferably so maintained for a prolonged period, and it can be considered constant to a certain level to optimize the therapeutically effective period, for example the effective silencing period.

The drug delivery system optionally and preferably is designed to shield the nucleotide based therapeutic agent from degradation, whether chemical in nature or due to attack from enzymes and other factors in the body of the subject.

The drug delivery system as described in US Patent Publication 20110195123 is optionally associated with sensing and/or activation appliances that are operated at and/or after implantation of the device, by non and/or minimally invasive methods of activation and/or acceleration/deceleration, for example optionally including but not limited to thermal heating and cooling, laser beams, and ultrasonic, including focused ultrasound and/or RF (radiofrequency) methods or devices.

According to some embodiments of US Patent Publication 20110195123, the site for local delivery may optionally include target sites characterized by high abnormal proliferation of cells, and suppressed apoptosis, including tumors, active and or chronic inflammation and infection including autoimmune diseases states, degenerating tissue including muscle and nervous tissue, chronic pain, degenerative sites, and location of bone fractures and other wound locations for enhancement of regeneration of tissue, and injured cardiac, smooth and striated muscle. The site for local delivery also may optionally include sites enabling performing preventive activities including pregnancy, prevention of infection and aging.

The site for implantation of the composition, or target site, preferably features a radius, area and/or volume that is sufficiently small for targeted local delivery. For example, the target site optionally has a diameter in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 5 cm.

The location of the target site is preferably selected for maximum therapeutic efficacy. For example, the composition of the drug delivery system (optionally with a device for implantation as described above) is optionally and preferably implanted within or in the proximity of a tumor environment, or the blood supply associated thereof.

For example the composition (optionally with the device) is optionally implanted within or in the proximity to pancreas, prostate, breast, liver, via the nipple, within the vascular system and so forth.

The target location is optionally selected from the group consisting of (as non-limiting examples only, as optionally any site within the body may be suitable for implanting a Loder): 1. brain at degenerative sites like in Parkinson or Alzheimer disease at the basal ganglia, white and gray matter; 2. spine as in the case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); 3. uterine cervix to prevent HPV infection; 4. active and chronic inflammatory joints; 5. dermis as in the case of psoriasis; 6. sympathetic and sensoric nervous sites for analgesic effect; 7. Intra osseous implantation; 8. acute and chronic infection sites; 9. Intra vaginal; 10. Inner ear—auditory system, labyrinth of the inner ear, vestibular system; 11. Intra tracheal; 12. Intra-cardiac; coronary, epicardiac; 13. urinary bladder; 14. biliary system; 15. parenchymal tissue including and not limited to the kidney, liver, spleen; 16. lymph nodes; 17. salivary glands; 18. dental gums; 19. Intra-articular (into joints); 20. Intra-ocular; 21. Brain tissue; 22. Brain ventricles; 23. Cavities, including abdominal cavity (for example but without limitation, for ovary cancer); 24. Intra esophageal and 25. Intra rectal.

Optionally insertion of the system (for example a device containing the composition) is associated with injection of material to the ECM at the target site and the vicinity of that site to affect local pH and/or temperature and/or other biological factors affecting the diffusion of the drug and/or drug kinetics in the ECM, of the target site and the vicinity of such a site.

Optionally, according to some embodiments, the release of said agent could be associated with sensing and/or activation appliances that are operated prior and/or at and/or after insertion, by non and/or minimally invasive and/or else methods of activation and/or acceleration/deceleration, including laser beam, radiation, thermal heating and cooling, and ultrasonic, including focused ultrasound and/or RF (radiofrequency) methods or devices, and chemical activators.

According to other embodiments of US Patent Publication 20110195123, the drug preferably comprises a gene silencing biological RNAi drug, for example for localized cancer cases in breast, pancreas, brain, kidney, bladder, lung, and prostate as described below. Moreover, many drugs other than siRNA are applicable to be encapsulated in Loder, and can be used in association with this invention, as long as such drugs can be encapsulated with the Loder substrate, such as a matrix for example. Such drugs include approved drugs that are delivered today by methods other than of this invention, including Amphotericin B for fungal infection; antibiotics such as in osteomyelitis; pain killers such as narcotics; anti degenerative such as in Alzheimer or Parkinson diseases in a Loder implanted in the vicinity of the spine in the case of back pain. Such a system may be used and/or adapted to deliver the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

For example, for specific applications such as prevention of growth or regrowth of smooth muscle cells (that are injured during a stenting procedure and as a result tend to proliferate), the drug may optionally be siRNA that silence smooth muscle cells, including H19 silencing, or a drug selected from the group consisting of taxol, rapamycin and rapamycin-analogs. In such cases the Loder is preferably either a Drug Eluting Stent (DES), with prolonged release at constant rate, or a dedicated device that is implanted separately, in association to the stent. All of this may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

As another example of a specific application, neuro and muscular degenerative diseases develop due to abnormal gene expression. Local delivery of silencing RNAs may have therapeutic properties for interfering with such abnormal gene expression. Local delivery of anti apoptotic, anti inflammatory and anti degenerative drugs including small drugs and macromolecules may also optionally be therapeutic. In such cases the Loder is applied for prolonged release at constant rate and/or through a dedicated device that is implanted separately. All of this may be used and/or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

As yet another example of a specific application, psychiatric and cognitive disorders are treated with gene modifiers. Gene knockdown with silencing RNA is a treatment option. Loders locally delivering nucleotide based agents to central nervous system sites are therapeutic options for psychiatric and cognitive disorders including but not limited to psychosis, bi-polar diseases, neurotic disorders and behavioral maladies. The Loders could also deliver locally drugs including small drugs and macromolecules upon implantation at specific brain sites. All of this may be used and/or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

As another example of a specific application, silencing of innate and/or adaptive immune mediators at local sites enables the prevention of organ transplant rejection. Local delivery of silencing RNAs and immunomodulating reagents with the Loder implanted into the transplanted organ and/or the implanted site renders local immune suppression by repelling immune cells such as CD8 activated against the transplanted organ. All of this may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

As another example of a specific application, vascular growth factors including VEGFs and angiogenin and others are essential for neovascularization. Local delivery of the factors, peptides, peptidomimetics, or suppressing their repressors is an important therapeutic modality; silencing the repressors and local delivery of the factors, peptides, macromolecules and small drugs stimulating angiogenesis with the Loder is therapeutic for peripheral, systemic and cardiac vascular disease.

The method of insertion, such as implantation, may optionally already be used for other types of tissue implantation and/or for insertions and/or for sampling tissues, optionally without modifications, or alternatively optionally only with non-major modifications in such methods. Such methods optionally include but are not limited to brachytherapy methods, biopsy, endoscopy with and/or without ultrasound, such as ERCP, stereotactic methods into the brain tissue, Laparoscopy, including implantation with a laparoscope into joints, abdominal organs, the bladder wall and body cavities.

CRISPR Enzyme mRNA and Guide RNA

CRISPR enzyme mRNA and guide RNA might also be delivered separately. CRISPR enzyme mRNA can be delivered prior to the guide RNA to give time for CRISPR enzyme to be expressed. CRISPR enzyme mRNA might be administered 1-12 hours (preferably around 2-6 hours) prior to the administration of guide RNA.

Alternatively, CRISPR enzyme mRNA and guide RNA can be administered together. Advantageously, a second booster dose of guide RNA can be administered 1-12 hours (preferably around 2-6 hours) after the initial administration of CRISPR enzyme mRNA+guide RNA.

Additional administrations of CRISPR enzyme mRNA and/or guide RNA might be useful to achieve the most efficient levels of genome modification.

For minimization of toxicity and off-target effect, it will be important to control the concentration of CRISPR enzyme mRNA and guide RNA delivered. Optimal concentrations of CRISPR enzyme mRNA and guide RNA can be determined by testing different concentrations in a cellular or animal model and using deep sequencing the analyze the extent of modification at potential off-target genomic loci. For example, for the guide sequence targeting 5′-GAGTCCGAGCAGAAGAAGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5) in the EMX1 gene of the human genome, deep sequencing can be used to assess the level of modification at the following two off-target loci, 1: 5′-GAGTCCTAGCAGGAGAAGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 6) and 2: 5′-GAGTCTAAGCAGAAGAAGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 7). The concentration that gives the highest level of on-target modification while minimizing the level of off-target modification should be chosen for in vivo delivery.

Alternatively, to minimize the level of toxicity and off-target effect, CRISPR enzyme nickase mRNA (for example S. pyogenes Cas9 with the D10A mutation) can be delivered with a pair of guide RNAs targeting a site of interest. The two guide RNAs need to be spaced as follows in Table 2. Guide sequences in red (single underline) and blue (double underline) respectively (these examples are based on the PAM requirement for Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9).

Further interrogation of the system have given Applicants evidence of the 5′ overhang (see, e.g., Ran et al., Cell. 2013 Sep. 12; 154(6):1380-9 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/871,301 filed Aug. 28, 2013). Applicants have further identified parameters that relate to efficient cleavage by the Cas9 nickase mutant when combined with two guide RNAs and these parameters include but are not limited to the length of the 5′ overhang. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at most 200 base pairs, preferably at most 100 base pairs, or more preferably at most 50 base pairs. In embodiments of the invention the 5′ overhang is at least 26 base pairs, preferably at least 30 base pairs or more preferably 34-50 base pairs or 1-34 base pairs. In other preferred methods of the invention the first guide sequence directing cleavage of one strand of the DNA duplex near the first target sequence and the second guide sequence directing cleavage of other strand near the second target sequence results in a blunt cut or a 3′ overhang. In embodiments of the invention the 3′ overhang is at most 150, 100 or 25 base pairs or at least 15, 10 or 1 base pairs. In preferred embodiments the 3′ overhang is 1-100 basepairs.

Aspects of the invention relate to the expression of the gene product being decreased or a template polynucleotide being further introduced into the DNA molecule encoding the gene product or an intervening sequence being excised precisely by allowing the two 5′ overhangs to reanneal and ligate or the activity or function of the gene product being altered or the expression of the gene product being increased. In an embodiment of the invention, the gene product is a protein.

Only sgRNA pairs creating 5′ overhangs with less than 8 bp overlap between the guide sequences (offset greater than −8 bp) were able to mediate detectable indel formation. Importantly, each guide used in these assays is able to efficiently induce indels when paired with wildtype Cas9, indicating that the relative positions of the guide pairs are the most important parameters in predicting double nicking activity.

Since Cas9n and Cas9H840A nick opposite strands of DNA, substitution of Cas9n with Cas9H840A with a given sgRNA pair should result in the inversion of the overhang type. For example, a pair of sgRNAs that will generate a 5′ overhang with Cas9n should in principle generate the corresponding 3′ overhang instead. Therefore, sgRNA pairs that lead to the generation of a 3′ overhang with Cas9n might be used with Cas9H840A to generate a 5′ overhang. Unexpectedly, Applicants tested Cas9H840A with a set of sgRNA pairs designed to generate both 5′ and 3′ overhangs (offset range from −278 to +58 bp), but were unable to observe indel formation. Further work may be needed to identify the necessary design rules for sgRNA pairing to allow double nicking by Cas9H840A.

Liver, Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin 9 (PCSK9)

The data shows phenotypic conversion.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a member of the subtilisin serine protease family. PCSK9 is primarily expressed by the liver and is critical for the down regulation of hepatocyte LDL receptor expression. LDL-C levels in plasma are highly elevated in humans with gain of function mutations in PCSK9, classifying them as having severe hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, PCSK9 is an attractive target for CRISPR. PCS9K-targeted CRISPR may be formulated in a lipid particle and for example administered at about 15, 45, 90, 150, 250 and 400 μg/kg intravenously (see, e.g., alnylam.com/capella/capella/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ALN-PCS02-001-Protocol-Lancet.pdt).

Bailey et al. (J Mol Med (Berl). 1999 January; 77(1):244-9) discloses insulin delivery by ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy involves the removal of non-B-cell somatic cells (e.g. fibroblasts) from a diabetic patient, and genetically altering them in vitro to produce and secrete insulin. The cells can be grown in culture and returned to the donor as a source of insulin replacement. Cells modified in this way could be evaluated before implantation, and reserve stocks could be cryopreserved. By using the patient's own cells, the procedure should obviate the need for immunosuppression and overcome the problem of tissue supply, while avoiding a recurrence of cell destruction. Ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy requires an accessible and robust cell type that is amenable to multiple transfections and subject to controlled proliferation. Special problems associated with the use of non-B-cell somatic cells include the processing of proinsulin to insulin, and the conferment of sensitivity to glucose-stimulated proinsulin biosynthesis and regulated insulin release. Preliminary studies using fibroblasts, pituitary cells, kidney (COS) cells and ovarian (CHO) cells suggest that these challenges could be met, and that ex-vivo somatic cell gene therapy offers a feasible approach to insulin replacement therapy. The system of Bailey et al. may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for delivery to the liver.

The methods of Sato et al. (Nature Biotechnology Volume 26 Number 4 Apr. 2008, Pages 431-442) may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for delivery to the liver. Sato et al. found that treatments with the siRNA-bearing vitamin A-coupled liposomes almost completely resolved liver fibrosis and prolonged survival in rats with otherwise lethal dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver cirrhosis in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. Cationic liposomes (Lipotrust) containing O,O′-ditetradecanoyl-N-(a-trimethylammonioacetyl) diethanolamine chloride (DC-6-14) as a cationic lipid, cholesterol and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine at a molar ratio of 4:3:3 (which has shown high transfection efficiency under serum containing conditions for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery) were purchased from Hokkaido System Science. The liposomes were manufactured using a freeze-dried empty liposomes method and prepared at a concentration of 1 mM (DC-16-4) by addition of double-distilled water (DDW) to the lyophilized lipid mixture under vortexing before use. To prepare VA-coupled liposomes, 200 nmol of vitamin A (retinol, Sigma) dissolved in DMSO was mixed with the liposome suspensions (100 nmol as DC-16-4) by vortexing in a 1.5 ml tube at 25 1 C. To prepare VA-coupled liposomes carrying siRNAgp46 (VA-lip-siRNAgp46), a solution of siRNAgp46 (580 pmol/ml in DDW) was added to the retinol-coupled liposome solution with stirring at 25 C. The ratio of siRNA to DC-16-4 was 1:11.5 (mol/mol) and the siRNA to liposome ratio (wt/wt) was 1:1. Any free vitamin A or siRNA that was not taken up by liposomes were separated from liposomal preparations using a micropartition system (VIVASPIN 2 concentrator 30,000 MWCO PES, VIVASCIENCE). The liposomal suspension was added to the filters and centrifuged at 1,500 g for 5 min 3 times at 25 1 C. Fractions were collected and the material trapped in the filter was reconstituted with PBS to achieve the desired dose for in vitro or in vivo use. Three injections of 0.75 mg/kg siRNA were given every other day to rats. The system of Sato et al. may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for delivery to the liver by delivering about 0.5 to 1 mg/kg of CRISPR Cas RNA in the liposomes as described by Sato et al. to humans.

The methods of Rozema et al. (PNAS, Aug. 7, 2007, vol. 104, no. 32) for a vehicle for the delivery of siRNA to hepatocytes both in vitro and in vivo, which Rozema et al. have named siRNA Dynamic PolyConjugates may also be applied to the present invention. Key features of the Dynamic Poly-Conjugate technology include a membrane-active polymer, the ability to reversibly mask the activity of this polymer until it reaches the acidic environment of endosomes, and the ability to target this modified polymer and its siRNA cargo specifically to hepatocytes in vivo after simple, low-pressure i.v. injection. SATA-modified siRNAs are synthesized by reaction of 5′ aminemodified siRNA with 1 weight equivalents (wt eq) of Nsuccinimidyl-S-acetylthioacetate (SATA) reagent (Pierce) and 0.36 wt eq of NaHCO₃ in water at 4° C. for 16 h. The modified siRNAs are then precipitated by the addition of 9 vol of ethanol and incubation at 0 80° C. for 2 h. The precipitate is resuspended in 1× siRNA buffer (Dharmacon) and quantified by measuring absorbance at the 260-nm wavelength. PBAVE (30 mg/ml in 5 mMTAPS, pH 9) is modified by addition of 1.5 wt % SMPT (Pierce). After a 1-h incubation, 0.8 mg of SMPT-PBAVE was added to 400 μl of isotonic glucose solution containing 5 mM TAPS (pH 9). To this solution was added 50 μg of SATA-modified siRNA. For the dose-response experiments where [PBAVE] was constant, different amounts of siRNA are added. The mixture is then incubated for 16 h. To the solution is then added 5.6 mg of Hepes free base followed by a mixture of 3.7 mg of CDM-NAG and 1.9 mg of CDM-PEG. The solution is then incubated for at least 1 h at room temperature before injection. CDM-PEG and CDM-NAG are synthesized from the acid chloride generated by using oxalyl chloride. To the acid chloride is added 1.1 molar equivalents polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (molecular weight average of 450) to generate CDM-PEG or (aminoethoxy)ethoxy-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-o-D-glucopyranoside to generate CDM-NAG. The final product is purified by using reverse-phase HPLC with a 0.1% TFA water/acetonitrile gradient. About 25 to 50 μg of siRNA was delivered to mice. The system of Rozema et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for delivery to the liver, for example by envisioning a dosage of about 50 to about 200 mg of CRISPR Cas for delivery to a human.

Bone

Oakes and Lieberman (Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000 October; (379 Suppl):S101-12) discusses delivery of genes to the bone. By transferring genes into cells at a specific anatomic site, the osteoinductive properties of growth factors can be used at physiologic doses for a sustained period to facilitate a more significant healing response. The specific anatomic site, the quality of the bone, and the soft-tissue envelope, influences the selection of the target cells for regional gene therapy. Gene therapy vectors delivered to a treatment site in osteoconductive carriers have yielded promising results. Several investigators have shown exciting results using ex vivo and in vivo regional gene therapy in animal models. Such a system may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system for delivery to the bone.

Brain

Delivery options for the brain include encapsulation of CRISPR enzyme and guide RNA in the form of either DNA or RNA into liposomes and conjugating to molecular Trojan horses for trans-blood brain barrier (BBB) delivery. Molecular Trojan horses have been shown to be effective for delivery of B-gal expression vectors into the brain of non-human primates. The same approach can be used to delivery vectors containing CRISPR enzyme and guide RNA. For instance, Xia C F and Boado R J, Pardridge W M (“Antibody-mediated targeting of siRNA via the human insulin receptor using avidin-biotin technology.” Mol Pharm. 2009 May-June; 6(3):747-51. doi: 10.1021/mp800194) describes how delivery of short interfering RNA (siRNA) to cells in culture, and in vivo, is possible with combined use of a receptor-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) and avidin-biotin technology. The authors also report that because the bond between the targeting mAb and the siRNA is stable with avidin-biotin technology, and RNAi effects at distant sites such as brain are observed in vivo following an intravenous administration of the targeted siRNA.

Zhang et al. (Mol Ther. 2003 January; 7(1):11-8)) describe how expression plasmids encoding reporters such as luciferase were encapsulated in the interior of an “artificial virus” comprised of an 85 nm pegylated immunoliposome, which was targeted to the rhesus monkey brain in vivo with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to the human insulin receptor (HIR). The HIRMAb enables the liposome carrying the exogenous gene to undergo transcytosis across the blood-brain barrier and endocytosis across the neuronal plasma membrane following intravenous injection. The level of luciferase gene expression in the brain was 50-fold higher in the rhesus monkey as compared to the rat. Widespread neuronal expression of the beta-galactosidase gene in primate brain was demonstrated by both histochemistry and confocal microscopy. The authors indicate that this approach makes feasible reversible adult transgenics in 24 hours. Accordingly, the use of immunoliposome is preferred. These may be used in conjunction with antibodies to target specific tissues or cell surface proteins.

Other means of delivery or RNA are also preferred, such as via nanoparticles (Cho, S., Goldberg, M., Son, S., Xu, Q., Yang, F., Mei, Y., Bogatyrev, S., Langer, R. and Anderson, D., Lipid-like nanoparticles for small interfering RNA delivery to endothelial cells, Advanced Functional Materials, 19: 3112-3118, 2010) or exosomes (Schroeder, A., Levins, C., Cortez, C., Langer, R., and Anderson, D., Lipid-based nanotherapeutics for siRNA delivery, Journal of Internal Medicine, 267: 9-21, 2010, PMID: 20059641).

Indeed, exosomes have been shown to be particularly useful in delivery siRNA, a system with some parallels to the CRISPR system. For instance, El-Andaloussi S, et al. (“Exosome-mediated delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo.” Nat Protoc. 2012 December; 7(12):2112-26. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2012.131. Epub 2012 Nov. 15) describe how exosomes are promising tools for drug delivery across different biological barriers and can be harnessed for delivery of siRNA in vitro and in vivo. Their approach is to generate targeted exosomes through transfection of an expression vector, comprising an exosomal protein fused with a peptide ligand. The exosomes are then purify and characterized from transfected cell supernatant, then siRNA is loaded into the exosomes. Delivery or administration according to the invention can be performed with exosomes, in particular but not limited to the brain.

Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) may be conjugated with CRISPR Cas and delivered to the brain along with high density lipoprotein (HDL), for example in a similar manner as was done by Uno et al. (HUMAN GENE THERAPY 22:711-719 (June 2011)) for delivering short-interfering RNA (siRNA) to the brain. Mice were infused via Osmotic minipumps (model 1007D; Alzet, Cupertino, Calif.) filled with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or free TocsiBACE or Toc-siBACE/HDL and connected with Brain Infusion Kit 3 (Alzet). A brain-infusion cannula was placed about 0.5 mm posterior to the bregma at midline for infusion into the dorsal third ventricle. Uno et al. found that as little as 3 nmol of Toc-siRNA with HDL could induce a target reduction in comparable degree by the same ICV infusion method. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas conjugated to a-tocopherol and co-administered with HDL targeted to the brain may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 3 nmol to about 3 pmol of CRISPR Cas targeted to the brain may becontemplated.

Zou et al. ((HUMAN GENE THERAPY 22:465-475 (April 2011)) describes a method of lentiviral-mediated delivery of short-hairpin RNAs targeting PKCγ for in vivo gene silencing in the spinal cord of rats. Zou et al. administered about 10 μl of a recombinant lentivirus having a titer of 1×10⁹ transducing units (TU)/ml by an intrathecal catheter. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas expressed in a lentiviral vector targeted to the brain may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 10-50 ml of CRISPR Cas targeted to the brain in a lentivirus having a titer of 1×10⁹ transducing units (TU)/ml may becontemplated.

Targeted Deletion, Therapeutic Applications

Targeted deletion of genes is preferred. Examples are exemplified in Example 18. Preferred are, therefore, genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and other metabolic disorders, genes encoding mis-folded proteins involved in amyloid and other diseases, oncogenes leading to cellular transformation, latent viral genes, and genes leading to dominant-negative disorders, amongst other disorders. As exemplified here, Applicants prefer gene delivery of a CRISPR-Cas system to the liver, brain, ocular, epithelial, hematopoetic, or another tissue of a subject or a patient in need thereof, suffering from metabolic disorders, amyloidosis and protein-aggregation related diseases, cellular transformation arising from genetic mutations and translocations, dominant negative effects of gene mutations, latent viral infections, and other related symptoms, using either viral or nanoparticle delivery system.

Therapeutic applications of the CRISPR-Cas system include Glaucoma, Amyloidosis, and Huntington's disease. These are exemplified in Example 20 and the features described therein are preferred alone or in combination.

Another example of a polyglutamine expansion disease that may be treated by the present invention includes spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1). Upon intracelebellar injection, recombinant adeno associated virus (AAV) vectors expressing short hairpin RNAs profoundly improve motor coordination, restored cerebellar morphology and resolved characteristic ataxin-1 inclusions in Purkinje cells of SCA1 mice (see, e.g., Xia et al., Nature Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 8, August 2004). In particular, AAV1 and AAV5 vectors are preferred and AAV titers of about 1×10¹² vector genomes/ml are desirable.

As an example, chronic infection by HIV-1 may be treated or prevented. In order to accomplish this, one may generate CRISPR-Cas guide RNAs that target the vast majority of the HIV-1 genome while taking into account HIV-1 strain variants for maximal coverage and effectiveness. One may accomplish delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system by conventional adenoviral or lentiviral-mediated infection of the host immune system. Depending on approach, host immune cells could be a) isolated, transduced with CRISPR-Cas, selected, and re-introduced in to the host or b) transduced in vivo by systemic delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system. The first approach allows for generation of a resistant immune population whereas the second is more likely to target latent viral reservoirs within the host. This is discussed in more detail in the Examples section.

In another example, US Patent Publication No. 20130171732 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. relates to insertion of an anti-HIV transgene into the genome, methods of which may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. In another embodiment, the CXCR4 gene may be targeted and the TALE system of US Patent Publication No. 20100291048 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. may be modified to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. The method of US Patent Publication Nos. 20130137104 and 20130122591 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. and US Patent Publication No. 20100146651 assigned to Cellectis may be more generally applicable for transgene expression as it involves modifying a hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) locus for increasing the frequency of gene modification.

It is also envisaged that the present invention generates a gene knockout cell library. Each cell may have a single gene knocked out. This is exemplified in Example 23.

One may make a library of ES cells where each cell has a single gene knocked out, and the entire library of ES cells will have every single gene knocked out. This library is useful for the screening of gene function in cellular processes as well as diseases. To make this cell library, one may integrate Cas9 driven by an inducible promoter (e.g. doxycycline inducible promoter) into the ES cell. In addition, one may integrate a single guide RNA targeting a specific gene in the ES cell. To make the ES cell library, one may simply mix ES cells with a library of genes encoding guide RNAs targeting each gene in the human genome. One may first introduce a single BxB1 attB site into the AAVS1 locus of the human ES cell. Then one may use the BxB1 integrase to facilitate the integration of individual guide RNA genes into the BxB1 attB site in AAVS1 locus. To facilitate integration, each guide RNA gene may be contained on a plasmid that carries of a single attP site. This way BxB1 will recombine the attB site in the genome with the attP site on the guide RNA containing plasmid. To generate the cell library, one may take the library of cells that have single guide RNAs integrated and induce Cas9 expression. After induction, Cas9 mediates double strand break at sites specified by the guide RNA.

Chronic administration of protein therapeutics may elicit unacceptable immune responses to the specific protein. The immunogenicity of protein drugs can be ascribed to a few immunodominant helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes. Reducing the MHC binding affinity of these HTL epitopes contained within these proteins can generate drugs with lower immunogenicity (Tangri S, et al. (“Rationally engineered therapeutic proteins with reduced immunogenicity” J Immunol. 2005 Mar. 15; 174(6):3187-96.) In the present invention, the immunogenicity of the CRISPR enzyme in particular may be reduced following the approach first set out in Tangri et al with respect to erythropoietin and subsequently developed. Accordingly, directed evolution or rational design may be used to reduce the immunogenicity of the CRISPR enzyme (for instance a Cas9) in the host species (human or other species).

In Example 28, Applicants used 3 guideRNAs of interest and able to visualize efficient DNA cleavage in vivo occurring only in a small subset of cells. Essentially, what Applicants have shown here is targeted in vivo cleavage. In particular, this provides proof of concept that specific targeting in higher organisms such as mammals can also be achieved. It also highlights multiplex aspect in that multiple guide sequences (i.e. separate targets) can be used simultaneously (in the sense of co-delivery). In other words, Applicants used a multiple approach, with several different sequences targeted at the same time, but independently.

A suitable example of a protocol for producing AAV, a preferred vector of the invention is provided in Example 34.

Trinucleotide repeat disorders are preferred conditions to be treated. These are also exemplified herein.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110016540, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders. Trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders are complex, progressive disorders that involve developmental neurobiology and often affect cognition as well as sensori-motor functions.

Trinucleotide repeat expansion proteins are a diverse set of proteins associated with susceptibility for developing a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder, the presence of a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder, the severity of a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder or any combination thereof. Trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders are divided into two categories determined by the type of repeat. The most common repeat is the triplet CAG, which, when present in the coding region of a gene, codes for the amino acid glutamine (Q). Therefore, these disorders are referred to as the polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders and comprise the following diseases: Huntington Disease (HD); Spinobulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA); Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCA types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17); and Dentatorubro-Pallidoluysian Atrophy (DRPLA). The remaining trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders either do not involve the CAG triplet or the CAG triplet is not in the coding region of the gene and are, therefore, referred to as the non-polyglutamine disorders. The non-polyglutamine disorders comprise Fragile X Syndrome (FRAXA); Fragile XE Mental Retardation (FRAXE); Friedreich Ataxia (FRDA); Myotonic Dystrophy (DM); and Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCA types 8, and 12).

The proteins associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders are typically selected based on an experimental association of the protein associated with a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder to a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a protein associated with a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder may be elevated or depressed in a population having a trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder relative to a population lacking the trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the proteins associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Non-limiting examples of proteins associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders include AR (androgen receptor), FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1), HTT (huntingtin), DMPK (dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase), FXN (frataxin), ATXN2 (ataxin 2), ATN1 (atrophin 1), FEN1 (flap structure-specific endonuclease 1), TNRC6A (trinucleotide repeat containing 6A), PABPN1 (poly(A) binding protein, nuclear 1), JPH3 (junctophilin 3), MED15 (mediator complex subunit 15), ATXN1 (ataxin 1), ATXN3 (ataxin 3), TBP (TATA box binding protein), CACNA1A (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, P/Q type, alpha 1A subunit), ATXN80S (ATXN8 opposite strand (non-protein coding)), PPP2R2B (protein phosphatase 2, regulatory subunit B, beta), ATXN7 (ataxin 7), TNRC6B (trinucleotide repeat containing 6B), TNRC6C (trinucleotide repeat containing 6C), CELF3 (CUGBP, Elav-like family member 3), MAB21L1 (mab-21-like 1 (C. elegans)), MSH2 (mutS homolog 2, colon cancer, nonpolyposis type 1 (E. coli)), TMEM185A (transmembrane protein 185A), SIX5 (SIX homeobox 5), CNPY3 (canopy 3 homolog (zebrafish)), FRAXE (fragile site, folic acid type, rare, fra(X)(q28) E), GNB2 (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), beta polypeptide 2), RPL14 (ribosomal protein L14), ATXN8 (ataxin 8), INSR (insulin receptor), TTR (transthyretin), EP400 (ElA binding protein p400), GIGYF2 (GRB10 interacting GYF protein 2), OGG1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase), STC1 (stanniocalcin 1), CNDP1 (carnosine dipeptidase 1 (metallopeptidase M20 family)), C10orf2 (chromosome 10 open reading frame 2), MAML3 mastermind-like 3 (Drosophila), DKC1 (dyskeratosis congenita 1, dyskerin), PAXIPI (PAX interacting (with transcription-activation domain) protein 1), CASK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (MAGUK family)), MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau), SP1 (Sp1 transcription factor), POLG (polymerase (DNA directed), gamma), AFF2 (AF4/FMR2 family, member 2), THBS1 (thrombospondin 1), TP53 (tumor protein p53), ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1), CGGBP1 (CGG triplet repeat binding protein 1), ABT1 (activator of basal transcription 1), KLK3 (kallikrein-related peptidase 3), PRNP (prion protein), JUN (jun oncogene), KCNN3 (potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily N, member 3), BAX (BCL2-associated X protein), FRAXA (fragile site, folic acid type, rare, fra(Xxq27.3) A (macroorchidism, mental retardation)), KBTBD10 (kelch repeat and BTB (POZ) domain containing 10), MBNL1 (muscleblind-like (Drosophila)), RAD51 (RAD51 homolog (RecA homolog, E. coli) (S. cerevisiae)), NCOA3 (nuclear receptor coactivator 3), ERDA1 (expanded repeat domain, CAG/CTG 1), TSC1 (tuberous sclerosis 1), COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), RRAD (Ras-related associated with diabetes), MSH3 (mutS homolog 3 (E. coli)), DRD2 (dopamine receptor D2), CD44 (CD44 molecule (Indian blood group)), CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor (zinc finger protein)), CCND1 (cyclin D1), CLSPN (claspin homolog (Xenopus laevis)), MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor 2A), PTPRU (protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, U), GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), TRIM22 (tripartite motif-containing 22), WT1 (Wilms tumor 1), AHR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor), GPX1 (glutathione peroxidase 1), TPMT (thiopurine S-methyltransferase), NDP (Norrie disease (pseudoglioma)), ARX (aristaless related homeobox), MUS81 (MUS81 endonuclease homolog (S. cerevisiae)), TYR (tyrosinase (oculocutaneous albinism 1A)), EGR1 (early growth response 1), UNG (uracil-DNA glycosylase), NUMBL (numb homolog (Drosophila)-like), FABP2 (fatty acid binding protein 2, intestinal), EN2 (engrailed homeobox 2), CRYGC (crystallin, gamma C), SRP14 (signal recognition particle 14 kDa (homologous Alu RNA binding protein)), CRYGB (crystallin, gamma B), PDCD1 (programmed cell death 1), HOXA1 (homeobox A1), ATXN2L (ataxin 2-like), PMS2 (PMS2 postmeiotic segregation increased 2 (S. cerevisiae)), GLA (galactosidase, alpha), CBL (Cas-Br-M (murine) ecotropic retroviral transforming sequence), FTH1 (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), IL12RB2 (interleukin 12 receptor, beta 2), OTX2 (orthodenticle homeobox 2), HOXA5 (homeobox A5), POLG2 (polymerase (DNA directed), gamma 2, accessory subunit), DLX2 (distal-less homeobox 2), SIRPA (signal-regulatory protein alpha), OTX1 (orthodenticle homeobox 1), AHRR (aryl-hydrocarbon receptor repressor), MANF (mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor), TMEM158 (transmembrane protein 158 (gene/pseudogene)), and ENSG00000078687.

Preferred proteins associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders include HTT (Huntingtin), AR (androgen receptor), FXN (frataxin), Atxn3 (ataxin), Atxn1 (ataxin), Atxn2 (ataxin), Atxn7 (ataxin), Atxn10 (ataxin), DMPK (dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase), Atn1 (atrophin 1), CBP (creb binding protein), VLDLR (very low density lipoprotein receptor), and any combination thereof.

According to another aspect, a method of gene therapy for the treatment of a subject having a mutation in the CFTR gene is provided and comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CRISPR-Cas gene therapy particle, optionally via a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier, to the cells of a subject. Preferably, the target DNA comprises the mutation deltaF508. In general, it is of preferred that the mutation is repaired to the wildtype. In this case, the mutation is a deletion of the three nucleotides that comprise the codon for phenylalanine (F) at position 508. Accordingly, repair in this instance requires reintroduction of the missing codon into the mutant.

To implement this Gene Repair Strategy, it is preferred that an adenovirus/AAV vector system is introduced into the host cell, cells or patient. Preferably, the system comprises a Cas9 (or Cas9 nickase) and the guide RNA along with a adenovirus/AAV vector system comprising the homology repair template containing the F508 residue. This may be introduced into the subject via one of the methods of delivery discussed earlier. The CRISPR-Cas system may be guided by the CFTRdelta 508 chimeric guide RNA. It targets a specific site of the CFTR genomic locus to be nicked or cleaved. After cleavage, the repair template is inserted into the cleavage site via homologous recombination correcting the deletion that results in cystic fibrosis or causes cystic fibrosis related symptoms. This strategy to direct delivery and provide systemic introduction of CRISPR systems with appropriate guide RNAs can be employed to target genetic mutations to edit or otherwise manipulate genes that cause metabolic, liver, kidney and protein diseases and disorders such as those in Table B.

Genome Editing

The CRISPR/Cas9 systems of the present invention can be used to correct genetic mutations that were previously attempted with limited success using TALEN and ZFN. For example, WO2013163628 A2, Genetic Correction of Mutated Genes, published application of Duke University describes efforts to correct, for example, a frameshift mutation which causes a premature stop codon and a truncated gene product that can be corrected via nuclease mediated non-homologous end joining such as those responsible for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, (“DMD”) a recessive, fatal, X-linked disorder that results in muscle degeneration due to mutations in the dystrophin gene. The majority of dystrophin mutations that cause DMD are deletions of exons that disrupt the reading frame and cause premature translation termination in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin is a cytoplasmic protein that provides structural stability to the dystroglycan complex of the cell membrane that is responsible for regulating muscle cell integrity and function. The dystrophin gene or “DMD gene” as used interchangeably herein is 2.2 megabases at locus Xp21. The primary transcription measures about 2,400 kb with the mature mRNA being about 14 kb. 79 exons code for the protein which is over 3500 amino acids. Exon 51 is frequently adjacent to frame-disrupting deletions in DMD patients and has been targeted in clinical trials for oligonucleotide-based exon skipping. A clinical trial for the exon 51 skipping compound eteplirsen recently reported a significant functional benefit across 48 weeks, with an average of 47% dystrophin positive fibers compared to baseline. Mutations in exon 51 are ideally suited for permanent correction by NHEJ-based genome editing.

The methods of US Patent Publication No. 20130145487 assigned to Cellectis, which relates to meganuclease variants to cleave a target sequence from the human dystrophin gene (DMD), may also be modified to for the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Blood

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to the blood.

The plasma exosomes of Wahlgren et al. (Nucleic Acids Research, 2012, Vol. 40, No. 17 e130) were previously described and may be utilized to deliver the CRISPR Cas system to the blood.

The CRISPR Cas system of the present invention is also contemplated to treat hemoglobinopathies, such as thalassemias and sickle cell disease. See, e.g., International Patent Publication No. WO 2013/126794 for potential targets that may be targeted by the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

US Patent Publication Nos. 20110225664, 20110091441, 20100229252, 20090271881 and 20090222937 assigned to Cellectis, relates to CREI variants, wherein at least one of the two I-CreI monomers has at least two substitutions, one in each of the two functional subdomains of the LAGLIDADG core domain (SEQ ID NO: 62) situated respectively from positions 26 to 40 and 44 to 77 of I-CreI, said variant being able to cleave a DNA target sequence from the human interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain (IL2RG) gene also named common cytokine receptor gamma chain gene or gamma C gene. The target sequences identified in US Patent Publication Nos. 20110225664, 20110091441, 20100229252, 20090271881 and 20090222937 may be utilized for the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) results from a defect in lymphocytes T maturation, always associated with a functional defect in lymphocytes B (Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 2005, 56, 585-602; Fischer et al., Immunol. Rev., 2005, 203, 98-109). Overall incidence is estimated to 1 in 75 000 births. Patients with untreated SCID are subject to multiple opportunist micro-organism infections, and do generally not live beyond one year. SCID can be treated by allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transfer, from a familial donor. Histocompatibility with the donor can vary widely. In the case of Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) deficiency, one of the SCID forms, patients can be treated by injection of recombinant Adenosine Deaminase enzyme.

Since the ADA gene has been shown to be mutated in SCID patients (Giblett et al., Lancet, 1972, 2, 1067-1069), several other genes involved in SCID have been identified (Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 2005, 56, 585-602; Fischer et al., Immunol. Rev., 2005, 203, 98-109). There are four major causes for SCID: (i) the most frequent form of SCID, SCID-X1 (X-linked SCID or X-SCID), is caused by mutation in the IL2RG gene, resulting in the absence of mature T lymphocytes and NK cells. IL2RG encodes the gamma C protein (Noguchi, et al., Cell, 1993, 73, 147-157), a common component of at least five interleukin receptor complexes. These receptors activate several targets through the JAK3 kinase (Macchi et al., Nature, 1995, 377, 65-68), which inactivation results in the same syndrome as gamma C inactivation; (ii) mutation in the ADA gene results in a defect in purine metabolism that is lethal for lymphocyte precursors, which in turn results in the quasi absence of B, T and NK cells; (iii) V(D)J recombination is an essential step in the maturation of immunoglobulins and T lymphocytes receptors (TCRs). Mutations in Recombination Activating Gene 1 and 2 (RAG1 and RAG2) and Artemis, three genes involved in this process, result in the absence of mature T and B lymphocytes; and (iv) Mutations in other genes such as CD45, involved in T cell specific signaling have also been reported, although they represent a minority of cases (Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Annu. Rev. Med., 2005, 56, 585-602; Fischer et al., Immunol. Rev., 2005, 203, 98-109).

Since when their genetic bases have been identified, the different SCID forms have become a paradigm for gene therapy approaches (Fischer et al., Immunol. Rev., 2005, 203, 98-109) for two major reasons. First, as in all blood diseases, an ex vivo treatment can be envisioned. Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) can be recovered from bone marrow, and keep their pluripotent properties for a few cell divisions. Therefore, they can be treated in vitro, and then reinjected into the patient, where they repopulate the bone marrow. Second, since the maturation of lymphocytes is impaired in SCID patients, corrected cells have a selective advantage. Therefore, a small number of corrected cells can restore a functional immune system. This hypothesis was validated several times by (i) the partial restoration of immune functions associated with the reversion of mutations in SCID patients (Hirschhorn et al., Nat. Genet., 1996, 13, 290-295; Stephan et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 1996, 335, 1563-1567; Bousso et al., Proc. Natl., Acad. Sci. USA, 2000, 97, 274-278; Wada et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2001, 98, 8697-8702; Nishikomori et al., Blood, 2004, 103, 4565-4572), (ii) the correction of SCID-X1 deficiencies in vitro in hematopoietic cells (Candotti et al., Blood, 1996, 87, 3097-3102; Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Blood, 1996, Blood, 88, 3901-3909; Taylor et al., Blood, 1996, 87, 3103-3107; Hacein-Bey et al., Blood, 1998, 92, 4090-4097), (iii) the correction of SCID-X1 (Soudais et al., Blood, 2000, 95, 3071-3077; Tsai et al., Blood, 2002, 100, 72-79), JAK-3 (Bunting et al., Nat. Med., 1998, 4, 58-64; Bunting et al., Hum. Gene Ther., 2000, 11, 2353-2364) and RAG2 (Yates et al., Blood, 2002, 100, 3942-3949) deficiencies in vivo in animal models and (iv) by the result of gene therapy clinical trials (Cavazzana-Calvo et al., Science, 2000, 288, 669-672; Aiuti et al., Nat. Med., 2002; 8, 423-425; Gaspar et al., Lancet, 2004, 364, 2181-2187).

US Patent Publication No. 20110182867 assigned to the Children's Medical Center Corporation and the President and Fellows of Harvard College relates to methods and uses of modulating fetal hemoglobin expression (HbF) in a hematopoietic progenitor cells via inhibitors of BCL11A expression or activity, such as RNAi and antibodies. The targets disclosed in US Patent Publication No. 20110182867, such as BCL11A, may be targeted by the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for modulating fetal hemoglobin expression. See also Bauer et al. (Science 11 Oct. 2013: Vol. 342 no. 6155 pp. 253-257) and Xu et al. (Science 18 Nov. 2011: Vol. 334 no. 6058 pp. 993-996) for additional BCL11A targets.

Ears

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to one or both ears.

Researchers are looking into whether gene therapy could be used to aid current deafness treatments-namely, cochlear implants. Deafness is often caused by lost or damaged hair cells that cannot relay signals to auditory neurons. In such cases, cochlear implants may be used to respond to sound and transmit electrical signals to the nerve cells. But these neurons often degenerate and retract from the cochlea as fewer growth factors are released by impaired hair cells.

US patent application 20120328580 describes injection of a pharmaceutical composition into the ear (e.g., auricular administration), such as into the luminae of the cochlea (e.g., the Scala media, Sc vestibulae, and Sc tympani), e.g., using a syringe, e.g., a single-dose syringe. For example, one or more of the compounds described herein can be administered by intratympanic injection (e.g., into the middle ear), and/or injections into the outer, middle, and/or inner ear. Such methods are routinely used in the art, for example, for the administration of steroids and antibiotics into human ears. Injection can be, for example, through the round window of the ear or through the cochlear capsule. Other inner ear administration methods are known in the art (see, e.g., Salt and Plontke, Drug Discovery Today, 10:1299-1306, 2005).

In another mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition can be administered in situ, via a catheter or pump. A catheter or pump can, for example, direct a pharmaceutical composition into the cochlear luminae or the round window of the ear and/or the lumen of the colon. Exemplary drug delivery apparatus and methods suitable for administering one or more of the compounds described herein into an ear, e.g., a human ear, are described by McKenna et al., (U.S. Publication No. 2006/0030837) and Jacobsen et al., (U.S. Pat. No. 7,206,639). In some embodiments, a catheter or pump can be positioned, e.g., in the ear (e.g., the outer, middle, and/or inner ear) of a patient during a surgical procedure. In some embodiments, a catheter or pump can be positioned, e.g., in the ear (e.g., the outer, middle, and/or inner ear) of a patient without the need for a surgical procedure.

Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the compounds described herein can be administered in combination with a mechanical device such as a cochlear implant or a hearing aid, which is worn in the outer ear. An exemplary cochlear implant that is suitable for use with the present invention is described by Edge et al., (U.S. Publication No. 2007/0093878).

In some embodiments, the modes of administration described above may be combined in any order and can be simultaneous or interspersed.

Alternatively or in addition, the present invention may be administered according to any of the Food and Drug Administration approved methods, for example, as described in CDER Data Standards Manual, version number 004 (which is available at fda.give/cder/dsm/DRG/drg00301.htm).

In general, the cell therapy methods described in US patent application 20120328580 can be used to promote complete or partial differentiation of a cell to or towards a mature cell type of the inner ear (e.g., a hair cell) in vitro. Cells resulting from such methods can then be transplanted or implanted into a patient in need of such treatment. The cell culture methods required to practice these methods, including methods for identifying and selecting suitable cell types, methods for promoting complete or partial differentiation of selected cells, methods for identifying complete or partially differentiated cell types, and methods for implanting complete or partially differentiated cells are described below.

Cells suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, cells that are capable of differentiating completely or partially into a mature cell of the inner ear, e.g., a hair cell (e.g., an inner and/or outer hair cell), when contacted, e.g., in vitro, with one or more of the compounds described herein. Exemplary cells that are capable of differentiating into a hair cell include, but are not limited to stem cells (e.g., inner ear stem cells, adult stem cells, bone marrow derived stem cells, embryonic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, skin stem cells, iPS cells, and fat derived stem cells), progenitor cells (e.g., inner ear progenitor cells), support cells (e.g., Deiters' cells, pillar cells, inner phalangeal cells, tectal cells and Hensen's cells), and/or germ cells. The use of stem cells for the replacement of inner ear sensory cells is described in Li et al., (U.S. Publication No. 2005/0287127) and Li et al., (U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/953,797). The use of bone marrow derived stem cells for the replacement of inner ear sensory cells is described in Edge et al., PCT/US2007/084654. iPS cells are described, e.g., at Takahashi et al., Cell, Volume 131, Issue 5, Pages 861-872 (2007); Takahashi and Yamanaka, Cell 126, 663-76 (2006); Okita et al., Nature 448, 260-262 (2007); Yu, J. et al., Science 318(5858):1917-1920 (2007); Nakagawa et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 26:101-106 (2008); and Zaehres and Scholer, Cell 131(5):834-835 (2007).

Such suitable cells can be identified by analyzing (e.g., qualitatively or quantitatively) the presence of one or more tissue specific genes. For example, gene expression can be detected by detecting the protein product of one or more tissue-specific genes. Protein detection techniques involve staining proteins (e.g., using cell extracts or whole cells) using antibodies against the appropriate antigen. In this case, the appropriate antigen is the protein product of the tissue-specific gene expression. Although, in principle, a first antibody (i.e., the antibody that binds the antigen) can be labeled, it is more common (and improves the visualization) to use a second antibody directed against the first (e.g., an anti-IgG). This second antibody is conjugated either with fluorochromes, or appropriate enzymes for colorimetric reactions, or gold beads (for electron microscopy), or with the biotin-avidin system, so that the location of the primary antibody, and thus the antigen, can be recognized.

The CRISPR Cas molecules of the present invention may be delivered to the ear by direct application of pharmaceutical composition to the outer ear, with compositions modified from US Published application, 20110142917. In some embodiments the pharmaceutical composition is applied to the ear canal. Delivery to the ear may also be referred to as aural or optic delivery.

In some embodiments the RNA molecules of the invention are delivered in liposome or lipofectin formulations and the like and can be prepared by methods well known to those skilled in the art. Such methods are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,593,972, 5,589,466, and 5,580,859, which are herein incorporated by reference.

Delivery systems aimed specifically at the enhanced and improved delivery of siRNA into mammalian cells have been developed, (see, for example, Shen et al FEBS Let. 2003, 539:111-114; Xia et al., Nat. Biotech. 2002, 20:1006-1010; Reich et al., Mol. Vision. 2003, 9: 210-216; Sorensen et al., J. Mol. Biol. 2003, 327: 761-766; Lewis et al., Nat. Gen. 2002, 32: 107-108 and Simeoni et al., NAR 2003, 31, 11: 2717-2724) and may be applied to the present invention. siRNA has recently been successfully used for inhibition of gene expression in primates (see for example. Tolentino et al., Retina 24(4):660 which may also be applied to the present invention.

Qi et al. discloses methods for efficient siRNA transfection to the inner ear through the intact round window by a novel proteidic delivery technology which may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention (see, e.g., Qi et al., Gene Therapy (2013), 1-9). In particular, a TAT double stranded RNA-binding domains (TAT-DRBDs), which can transfect Cy3-labeled siRNA into cells of the inner ear, including the inner and outer hair cells, crista ampullaris, macula utriculi and macula sacculi, through intact round-window permeation was successful for delivering double stranded siRNAs in vivo for treating various inner ear ailments and preservation of hearing function. About 40 μl of 10 mM RNA may be contemplated as the dosage for administration to the ear.

According to Rejali et al. (Hear Res. 2007 June; 228(1-2):180-7), cochlear implant function can be improved by good preservation of the spiral ganglion neurons, which are the target of electrical stimulation by the implant and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has previously been shown to enhance spiral ganglion survival in experimentally deafened ears. Rejali et al. tested a modified design of the cochlear implant electrode that includes a coating of fibroblast cells transduced by a viral vector with a BDNF gene insert. To accomplish this type of ex vivo gene transfer, Rejali et al. transduced guinea pig fibroblasts with an adenovirus with a BDNF gene cassette insert, and determined that these cells secreted BDNF and then attached BDNF-secreting cells to the cochlear implant electrode via an agarose gel, and implanted the electrode in the scala tympani. Rejali et al. determined that the BDNF expressing electrodes were able to preserve significantly more spiral ganglion neurons in the basal turns of the cochlea after 48 days of implantation when compared to control electrodes and demonstrated the feasibility of combining cochlear implant therapy with ex vivo gene transfer for enhancing spiral ganglion neuron survival. Such a system may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for delivery to the ear.

Mukherjea et al. (Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, Volume 13, Number 5, 2010) document that knockdown of NOX3 using short interfering (si) RNA abrogated cisplatin ototoxicity, as evidenced by protection of OHCs from damage and reduced threshold shifts in auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Different doses of siNOX3 (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 μg) were administered to rats and NOX3 expression was evaluated by real time RT-PCR. The lowest dose of NOX3 siRNA used (0.3 μg) did not show any inhibition of NOX3 mRNA when compared to transtympanic administration of scrambled siRNA or untreated cochleae. However, administration of the higher doses of NOX3 siRNA (0.6 and 0.9 μg) reduced NOX3 expression compared to control scrambled siRNA. Such a system may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for transtympanic administration with a dosage of about 2 mg to about 4 mg of CRISPR Cas for administration to a human.

Jung et al. (Molecular Therapy, vol. 21 no. 4, 834-841 April 2013) demonstrate that Hes5 levels in the utricle decreased after the application of siRNA and that the number of hair cells in these utricles was significantly larger than following control treatment. The data suggest that siRNA technology may be useful for inducing repair and regeneration in the inner ear and that the Notch signaling pathway is a potentially useful target for specific gene expression inhibition. Jung et al. injected 8 μg of Hes5 siRNA in 2 μl volume, prepared by adding sterile normal saline to the lyophilized siRNA to a vestibular epithelium of the ear. Such a system may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for administration to the vestibular epithelium of the ear with a dosage of about 1 to about 30 mg of CRISPR Cas for administration to a human.

Eyes

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to one or both eyes.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the CRISPR-Cas system may be used to correct ocular defects that arise from several genetic mutations further described in Genetic Diseases of the Eye, Second Edition, edited by Elias I. Traboulsi, Oxford University Press, 2012.

For administration to the eye, lentiviral vectors, in particular equine infectious anemia viruses (EIAV) are particularly preferred.

In another embodiment, minimal non-primate lentiviral vectors based on the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) are also contemplated, especially for ocular gene therapy (see, e.g., Balagaan, J Gene Med 2006; 8: 275-285, Published online 21 Nov. 2005 in Wiley InterScience (interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jgm.845). The vectors are contemplated to have cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter driving expression of the target gene. Intracameral, subretinal, intraocular and intravitreal injections are all contemplated (see, e.g., Balagaan, J Gene Med 2006; 8: 275-285, Published online 21 Nov. 2005 in Wiley InterScience (interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jgm.845). Intraocular injections may be performed with the aid of an operating microscope. For subretinal and intravitreal injections, eyes may be prolapsed by gentle digital pressure and fundi visualised using a contact lens system consisting of a drop of a coupling medium solution on the cornea covered with a glass microscope slide coverslip. For subretinal injections, the tip of a 10-mm 34-gauge needle, mounted on a 5-p Hamilton syringe may be advanced under direct visualisation through the superior equatorial sclera tangentially towards the posterior pole until the aperture of the needle was visible in the subretinal space. Then, 2 μl of vector suspension may be injected to produce a superior bullous retinal detachment, thus confirming subretinal vector administration. This approach creates a self-sealing sclerotomy allowing the vector suspension to be retained in the subretinal space until it is absorbed by the RPE, usually within 48 h of the procedure. This procedure may be repeated in the inferior hemisphere to produce an inferior retinal detachment. This technique results in the exposure of approximately 70% of neurosensory retina and RPE to the vector suspension. For intravitreal injections, the needle tip may be advanced through the sclera 1 mm posterior to the corneoscleral limbus and 2 μl of vector suspension injected into the vitreous cavity. For intracameral injections, the needle tip may be advanced through a corneoscleral limbal paracentesis, directed towards the central cornea, and 2 μl of vector suspension may be injected. For intracameral injections, the needle tip may be advanced through a corneoscleral limbal paracentesis, directed towards the central cornea, and 2 μl of vector suspension may be injected. These vectors may be injected at titres of either 1.0-1.4×10¹⁰ or 1.0-1.4×10⁹ transducing units (TU)/ml.

In another embodiment, RetinoStat®, an equine infectious anemia virus-based lentiviral gene therapy vector that expresses angiostatic proteins endostain and angiostatin that is delivered via a subretinal injection for the treatment of the web form of age-related macular degeneration is also contemplated (see, e.g., Binley et al., HUMAN GENE THERAPY 23:980-991 (September 2012)). Such a vector may be modified for the CRISPR-Cas system of the present invention. Each eye may be treated with either RetinoStat® at a dose of 1.1×10⁵ transducing units per eye (TU/eye) in a total volume of 100 μl.

In another embodiment, an E1-, partial E3-, E4-deleted adenoviral vector may be contemplated for delivery to the eye. Twenty-eight patients with advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were given a single intravitreous injection of an E1-, partial E3-, E4-deleted adenoviral vector expressing human pigment ep-ithelium-derived factor (AdPEDF.ll) (see, e.g., Campochiaro et al., Human Gene Therapy 17:167-176 (February 2006)). Doses ranging from 10⁶ to 10⁹ particle units (PU) were investigated and there were no serious adverse events related to AdPEDF.ll and no dose-limiting toxicities (see, e.g., Campochiaro et al., Human Gene Therapy 17:167-176 (February 2006)). Adenoviral vector-mediated ocular gene transfer appears to be a viable approach for the treatment of ocular disorders and could be applied to the CRISPR Cas system.

In another embodiment, the sd-rxRNA® system of RXi Pharmaceuticals may be used/and or adapted for delivering CRISPR Cas to the eye. In this system, a single intravitreal administration of 3 μg of sd-rxRNA results in sequence-specific reduction of PPIB mRNA levels for 14 days. The sd-rxRNA® system may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention, contemplating a dose of about 3 to 20 mg of CRISPR administered to a human.

Millington-Ward et al. (Molecular Therapy, vol. 19 no. 4, 642-649 April 2011) describes adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to deliver an RNA interference (RNAi)-based rhodopsin suppressor and a codon-modified rhodopsin replacement gene resistant to suppression due to nucleotide alterations at degenerate positions over the RNAi target site. An injection of either 6.0×10⁸ vp or 1.8×10¹⁰ vp AAV were subretinally injected into the eyes by Millington-Ward et al. The AAV vectors of Millington-Ward et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention, contemplating a dose of about 2×10¹¹ to about 6×10¹³ vp administered to a human.

Dalkara et al. (Sci Transl Med 5, 189ra76 (2013)) also relates to in vivo directed evolution to fashion an AAV vector that delivers wild-type versions of defective genes throughout the retina after noninjurious injection into the eyes' vitreous humor. Dalkara describes a 7mer peptide display library and an AAV library constructed by DNA shuffling of cap genes from AAV1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9. The rcAAV libraries and rAAV vectors expressing GFP under a CAG or Rho promoter were packaged and deoxyribonuclease-resistant genomic titers were obtained through quantitative PCR. The libraries were pooled, and two rounds of evolution were performed, each consisting of initial library diversification followed by three in vivo selection steps. In each such step, P30 rho-GFP mice were intravitreally injected with 2 ml of iodixanol-purified, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-dialyzed library with a genomic titer of about 1×10¹² vg/ml. The AAV vectors of Dalkara et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention, contemplating a dose of about 1×10¹⁵ to about 1×10¹⁶ vg/ml administered to a human.

In another embodiment, the rhodopsin gene may be targeted for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), wherein the system of US Patent Publication No. 20120204282 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. may be modified in accordance of the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the methods of US Patent Publication No. 20130183282 assigned to Cellectis, which is directed to methods of cleaving a target sequence from the human rhodopsin gene, may also be modified to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

US Patent Publication No. 20130202678 assigned to Academia Sinica relates to methods for treating retinopathies and sight-threatening ophthalmologic disorders relating to delivering of the Puf-A gene (which is expressed in retinal ganglion and pigmented cells of eye tissues and displays a unique anti-apoptotic activity) to the sub-retinal or intravitreal space in the eye. In particular, desirable targets are zgc:193933, prdm1a, spata2, tex10, rbb4, ddx3, zp2.2, Blimp-1 and HtrA2, all of which may be targeted by the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Wu (Cell Stem Cell, 13:659-62, 2013) designed a guide RNA that led Cas9 to a single base pair mutation that causes cataracts in mice, where it induced DNA cleavage. Then using either the other wild-type allele or oligos given to the zygotes repair mechanisms corrected the sequence of the broken allele and corrected the cataract-causing genetic defect in mutant mouse.

US Patent Publication No. 20120159653, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with macular degeration (MD). Macular degeneration (MD) is the primary cause of visual impairment in the elderly, but is also a hallmark symptom of childhood diseases such as Stargardt disease, Sorsby fundus, and fatal childhood neurodegenerative diseases, with an age of onset as young as infancy. Macular degeneration results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. Currently existing animal models do not recapitulate major hallmarks of the disease as it is observed in humans. The available animal models comprising mutant genes encoding proteins associated with MD also produce highly variable phenotypes, making translations to human disease and therapy development problematic.

One aspect of US Patent Publication No. 20120159653 relates to editing of any chromosomal sequences that encode proteins associated with MD which may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. The proteins associated with MD are typically selected based on an experimental association of the protein associated with MD to an MD disorder. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a protein associated with MD may be elevated or depressed in a population having an MD disorder relative to a population lacking the MD disorder. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the proteins associated with MD may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

By way of non-limiting example, proteins associated with MD include but are not limited to the following proteins: (ABCA4) ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 4 ACHM1 achromatopsia (rod monochromacy) 1 ApoE Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) C1QTNF5 (CTRP5) C1q and tumor necrosis factor related protein 5 (C1QTNF5) C2 Complement component 2 (C2) C3 Complement components (C3) CCL2 Chemokine (C-C motif) Ligand 2 (CCL2) CCR2 Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) CD36 Cluster of Differentiation 36 CFB Complement factor B CFH Complement factor CFH H CFHR1 complement factor H-related 1 CFHR3 complement factor H-related 3 CNGB3 cyclic nucleotide gated channel beta 3 CP ceruloplasmin (CP) CRP C reactive protein (CRP) CST3 cystatin C or cystatin 3 (CST3) CTSD Cathepsin D (CTSD) CX3CR1 chemokine (C-X3-C motif) receptor 1 ELOVL4 Elongation of very long chain fatty acids 4 ERCC6 excision repair cross-complementing rodent repair deficiency, complementation group 6 FBLN5 Fibulin-5 FBLN5 Fibulin 5 FBLN6 Fibulin 6 FSCN2 fascin (FSCN2) HMCN1 Hemicentrin 1 HMCN1 hemicentin 1 HTRA1 HtrA serine peptidase 1 (HTRA1) HTRA1 HtrA serine peptidase 1 IL-6 Interleukin 6 IL-8 Interleukin 8 LOC387715 Hypothetical protein PLEKHA1 Pleckstrin homology domain-containing family A member 1 (PLEKHA1) PROM1 Prominin 1(PROM1 or CD133) PRPH2 Peripherin-2 RPGR retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator SERPING1 serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade G, member 1 (C1-inhibitor) TCOF1 Treacle TIMP3 Metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 (TIMP3) TLR3 Toll-like receptor 3

The identity of the protein associated with MD whose chromosomal sequence is edited can and will vary. In preferred embodiments, the proteins associated with MD whose chromosomal sequence is edited may be the ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1) member 4 protein (ABCA4) encoded by the ABCR gene, the apolipoprotein E protein (APOE) encoded by the APOE gene, the chemokine (C-C motif) Ligand 2 protein (CCL2) encoded by the CCL2 gene, the chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 protein (CCR2) encoded by the CCR2 gene, the ceruloplasmin protein (CP) encoded by the CP gene, the cathepsin D protein (CTSD) encoded by the CTSD gene, or the metalloproteinase inhibitor 3 protein (TIMP3) encoded by the TIMP3 gene. In an exemplary embodiment, the genetically modified animal is a rat, and the edited chromosomal sequence encoding the protein associated with MD may be: (ABCA4) ATP-binding cassette, NM_000350 sub-family A (ABC1), member 4 APOE Apolipoprotein E NM_138828 (APOE) CCL2 Chemokine (C-C NM_031530 motif) Ligand 2 (CCL2) CCR2 Chemokine (C-C NM_021866 motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) CP ceruloplasmin (CP) NM_012532 CTSD Cathepsin D (CTSD) NM_134334 TIMP3 Metalloproteinase NM_012886 inhibitor 3 (TIMP3) The animal or cell may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more disrupted chromosomal sequences encoding a protein associated with MD and zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more chromosomally integrated sequences encoding the disrupted protein associated with MD.

The edited or integrated chromosomal sequence may be modified to encode an altered protein associated with MD. Several mutations in MD-related chromosomal sequences have been associated with MD. Non-limiting examples of mutations in chromosomal sequences associated with MD include those that may cause MD including in the ABCR protein, E471K (i.e. glutamate at position 471 is changed to lysine), R1129L (i.e. arginine at position 1129 is changed to leucine), T1428M (i.e. threonine at position 1428 is changed to methionine), R1517S (i.e. arginine at position 1517 is changed to serine), I1562T (i.e. isoleucine at position 1562 is changed to threonine), and G1578R (i.e. glycine at position 1578 is changed to arginine); in the CCR2 protein, V64I (i.e. valine at position 192 is changed to isoleucine); in CP protein, G969B (i.e. glycine at position 969 is changed to asparagine or aspartate); in TIMP3 protein, S156C (i.e. serine at position 156 is changed to cysteine), G166C (i.e. glycine at position 166 is changed to cysteine), G167C (i.e. glycine at position 167 is changed to cysteine), Y168C (i.e. tyrosine at position 168 is changed to cysteine), S170C (i.e. serine at position 170 is changed to cysteine), Y172C (i.e. tyrosine at position 172 is changed to cysteine) and S181C (i.e. serine at position 181 is changed to cysteine). Other associations of genetic variants in MD-associated genes and disease are known in the art.

Heart

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to the heart. For the heart, a myocardium tropic adena-associated virus (AAVM) is preferred, in particular AAVM41 which showed preferential gene transfer in the heart (see, e.g., Lin-Yanga et al., PNAS, Mar. 10, 2009, vol. 106, no. 10). Administration may be systemic or local. A dosage of about 1-10×10¹⁴ vector genomes are contemplated for systemic administration. See also, e.g., Eulalio et al. (2012) Nature 492: 376 and Somasuntharam et al. (2013) Biomaterials 34: 7790.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110023139, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular diseases generally include high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart failure, and stroke and TIA. Any chromosomal sequence involved in cardiovascular disease or the protein encoded by any chromosomal sequence involved in cardiovascular disease may be utilized in the methods described in this disclosure. The cardiovascular-related proteins are typically selected based on an experimental association of the cardiovascular-related protein to the development of cardiovascular disease. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a cardiovascular-related protein may be elevated or depressed in a population having a cardiovascular disorder relative to a population lacking the cardiovascular disorder. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the cardiovascular-related proteins may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

By way of example, the chromosomal sequence may comprise, but is not limited to, IL1B (interleukin 1, beta), XDH (xanthine dehydrogenase), TP53 (tumor protein p53), PTGIS (prostaglandin 12 (prostacyclin) synthase), MB (myoglobin), IL4 (interleukin 4), ANGPT1 (angiopoietin 1), ABCG8 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 8), CTSK (cathepsin K), PTGIR (prostaglandin 12 (prostacyclin) receptor (IP)), KCNJ11 (potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 11), INS (insulin), CRP (C-reactive protein, pentraxin-related), PDGFRB (platelet-derived growth factor receptor, beta polypeptide), CCNA2 (cyclin A2), PDGFB (platelet-derived growth factor beta polypeptide (simian sarcoma viral (v-sis) oncogene homolog)), KCNJ5 (potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 5), KCNN3 (potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily N, member 3), CAPN10 (calpain 10), PTGES (prostaglandin E synthase), ADRA2B (adrenergic, alpha-2B-, receptor), ABCG5 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 5), PRDX2 (peroxiredoxin 2), CAPN5 (calpain 5), PARP14 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase family, member 14), MEX3C (mex-3 homolog C (C. elegans)), ACE angiotensin I converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptidase A) 1), TNF (tumor necrosis factor (TNF superfamily, member 2)), IL6 (interleukin 6 (interferon, beta 2)), STN (statin), SERPINE1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E (nexin, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1), member 1), ALB (albumin), ADIPOQ (adiponectin, C1Q and collagen domain containing), APOB (apolipoprotein B (including Ag(x) antigen)), APOE (apolipoprotein E), LEP (leptin), MTHFR (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NADPH)), APOA1 (apolipoprotein A-I), EDN1 (endothelin 1), NPPB (natriuretic peptide precursor B), NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3 (endothelial cell)), PPARG (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma), PLAT (plasminogen activator, tissue), PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase)), CETP (cholesteryl ester transfer protein, plasma), AGTR1 (angiotensin II receptor, type 1), HMGCR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase), IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 (somatomedin C)), SELE (selectin E), REN (renin), PPARA (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha), PON1 (paraoxonase 1), KNG1 (kininogen 1), CCL2 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2), LPL (lipoprotein lipase), VWF (von Willebrand factor), F2 (coagulation factor II (thrombin)), ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), TGFB1 (transforming growth factor, beta 1), NPPA (natriuretic peptide precursor A), I10 (interleukin 10), EPO (erythropoietin), SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1, soluble), VCAM1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1), IFNG (interferon, gamma), LPA (lipoprotein, Lp(a)), MPO (myeloperoxidase), ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1), MAPK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1), HP (haptoglobin), F3 (coagulation factor III (thromboplastin, tissue factor)), CST3 (cystatin C), COG2 (component of oligomeric golgi complex 2), MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9 (gelatinase B, 92 kDa gelatinase, 92 kDa type IV collagenase)), SERPINC1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade C (antithrombin), member 1), F8 (coagulation factor VIII, procoagulant component), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase (decycling) 1), APOC3 (apolipoprotein C-III), 1L8 (interleukin 8), PROK (prokineticin 1), CBS (cystathionine-beta-synthase), NOS2 (nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible), TLR4 (toll-like receptor 4), SELP (selectin P (granule membrane protein 140 kDa, antigen CD62)), ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 1), AGT (angiotensinogen (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 8)), LDLR (low density lipoprotein receptor), GPT (glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (alanine aminotransferase)), VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), NR3C2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 2), IL18 (interleukin 18 (interferon-gamma-inducing factor)), NOS1 (nitric oxide synthase 1 (neuronal)), NR3C1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1 (glucocorticoid receptor)), FGB (fibrinogen beta chain), HGF (hepatocyte growth factor (hepapoietin A; scatter factor)), ILIA (interleukin 1, alpha), RETN (resistin), AKT1 (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1), LIPC (lipase, hepatic), HSPD1 (heat shock 60 kDa protein 1 (chaperonin)), MAPK14 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 14), SPP1 (secreted phosphoprotein 1), ITGB3 (integrin, beta 3 (platelet glycoprotein 111a, antigen CD61)), CAT (catalase), UTS2 (urotensin 2), THBD (thrombomodulin), F10 (coagulation factor X), CP (ceruloplasmin (ferroxidase)), TNFRSF11B (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11b), EDNRA (endothelin receptor type A), EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor (erythroblastic leukemia viral (v-erb-b) oncogene homolog, avian)), MMP2 (matrix metallopeptidase 2 (gelatinase A, 72 kDa gelatinase, 72 kDa type IV collagenase)), PLG (plasminogen), NPY (neuropeptide Y), RHOD (ras homolog gene family, member D), MAPK8 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 8), MYC (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian)), FN1 (fibronectin 1), CMA1 (chymase 1, mast cell), PLAU (plasminogen activator, urokinase), GNB3 (guanine nucleotide binding protein (G protein), beta polypeptide 3), ADRB2 (adrenergic, beta-2-, receptor, surface), APOA5 (apolipoprotein A-V), SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2, mitochondrial), F5 (coagulation factor V (proaccelerin, labile factor)), VDR (vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor), ALOX5 (arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase), HLA-DRB1 (major histocompatibility complex, class IL, DR beta 1), PARP1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1), CD40LG (CD40 ligand), PON2 (paraoxonase 2), AGER (advanced glycosylation end product-specific receptor), IRS1 (insulin receptor substrate 1), PTGS1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase)), ECE1 (endothelin converting enzyme 1), F7 (coagulation factor VII (serum prothrombin conversion accelerator)), URN (interleukin 1 receptor antagonist), EPHX2 (epoxide hydrolase 2, cytoplasmic), IGFBP1 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1), MAPK10 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 10), FAS (Fas (TNF receptor superfamily, member 6)), ABCB1 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP), member 1), JUN (jun oncogene), IGFBP3 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3), CD14 (CD14 molecule), PDE5A (phosphodiesterase 5A, cGMP-specific), AGTR2 (angiotensin II receptor, type 2), CD40 (CD40 molecule, TNF receptor superfamily member 5), LCAT (lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase), CCR5 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5), MMP1 (matrix metallopeptidase 1 (interstitial collagenase)), TIMP1 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1), ADM (adrenomedullin), DYT10 (dystonia 10), STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (acute-phase response factor)), MMP3 (matrix metallopeptidase 3 (stromelysin 1, progelatinase)), ELN (elastin), USFi (upstream transcription factor 1), CFH (complement factor H), HSPA4 (heat shock 70 kDa protein 4), MMP12 (matrix metallopeptidase 12 (macrophage elastase)), MME (membrane metallo-endopeptidase), F2R (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor), SELL (selectin L), CTSB (cathepsin B), ANXA5 (annexin A5), ADRB1 (adrenergic, beta-1-, receptor), CYBA (cytochrome b-245, alpha polypeptide), FGA (fibrinogen alpha chain), GGT1 (gamma-glutamyltransferase 1), LIPG (lipase, endothelial), HIF1A (hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit (basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor)), CXCR4 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) receptor 4), PROC (protein C (inactivator of coagulation factors Va and VIIIa)), SCARB1 (scavenger receptor class B, member 1), CD79A (CD79a molecule, immunoglobulin-associated alpha), PLTP (phospholipid transfer protein), ADD1 (adducin 1 (alpha)), FGG (fibrinogen gamma chain), SAA1 (serum amyloid A1), KCNH2 (potassium voltage-gated channel, subfamily H (eag-related), member 2), DPP4 (dipeptidyl-peptidase 4), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), NPR1 (natriuretic peptide receptor A/guanylate cyclase A (atrionatriuretic peptide receptor A)), VTN (vitronectin), KIAA0101 (KIAA0101), FOS (FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog), TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2), PPIG (peptidylprolyl isomerase G (cyclophilin G)), ILIR1 (interleukin 1 receptor, type I), AR (androgen receptor), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), SERPINA1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A (alpha-1 antiproteinase, antitrypsin), member 1), MTR (5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase), RBP4 (retinol binding protein 4, plasma), APOA4 (apolipoprotein A-IV), CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (melanoma, p16, inhibits CDK4)), FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2 (basic)), EDNRB (endothelin receptor type B), ITGA2 (integrin, alpha 2 (CD49B, alpha 2 subunit of VLA-2 receptor)), CABIN1 (calcineurin binding protein 1), SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), HMGB1 (high-mobility group box 1), HSP90B2P (heat shock protein 90 kDa beta (Grp94), member 2 (pseudogene)), CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 4), GJA1 (gap junction protein, alpha 1, 43 kDa), CAV1 (caveolin 1, caveolae protein, 22 kDa), ESR2 (estrogen receptor 2 (ER beta)), LTA (lymphotoxin alpha (TNF superfamily, member 1)), GDF15 (growth differentiation factor 15), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), CYP2D6 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily D, polypeptide 6), NGF (nerve growth factor (beta polypeptide)), SP1 (Sp1 transcription factor), TGIF1 (TGFB-induced factor homeobox 1), SRC (v-src sarcoma (Schmidt-Ruppin A-2) viral oncogene homolog (avian)), EGF (epidermal growth factor (beta-urogastrone)), PIK3CG (phosphoinositide-3-kinase, catalytic, gamma polypeptide), HLA-A (major histocompatibility complex, class I, A), KCNQ1 (potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily, member 1), CNR1 (cannabinoid receptor 1 (brain)), FBN1 (fibrillin 1), CHKA (choline kinase alpha), BEST1 (bestrophin 1), APP (amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein), CTNNB1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1, 88 kDa), IL2 (interleukin 2), CD36 (CD36 molecule (thrombospondin receptor)), PRKAB1 (protein kinase, AMP-activated, beta 1 non-catalytic subunit), TPO (thyroid peroxidase), ALDH7A1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 7 family, member A1), CX3CR1 (chemokine (C-X3-C motif) receptor 1), TH (tyrosine hydroxylase), F9 (coagulation factor IX), GH1 (growth hormone 1), TF (transferrin), HFE (hemochromatosis), IL17A (interleukin 17A), PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog), GSTM1 (glutathione S-transferase mu 1), DMD (dystrophin), GATA4 (GATA binding protein 4), F13A1 (coagulation factor XIII, A1 polypeptide), TTR (transthyretin), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4, adipocyte), PON3 (paraoxonase 3), APOC1 (apolipoprotein C-I), INSR (insulin receptor), TNFRSF1B (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1B), HTR2A (5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2A), CSF3 (colony stimulating factor 3 (granulocyte)), CYP2C9 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 9), TXN (thioredoxin), CYP11B2 (cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily B, polypeptide 2), PTH (parathyroid hormone), CSF2 (colony stimulating factor 2 (granulocyte-macrophage)), KDR (kinase insert domain receptor (a type III receptor tyrosine kinase)), PLA2G2A (phospholipase A2, group HA (platelets, synovial fluid)), B2M (beta-2-microglobulin), THBS1 (thrombospondin 1), GCG (glucagon), RHOA (ras homolog gene family, member A), ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 family (mitochondrial)), TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell specific, HMG-box)), BDKRB2 (bradykinin receptor B2), NFE2L2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2), NOTCH1 (Notch homolog 1, translocation-associated (Drosophila)), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), IFNA1 (interferon, alpha 1), PPARD (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta), SIRT1 (sirtuin (silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog) 1 (S. cerevisiae)), GNRH1 (gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (luteinizing-releasing hormone)), PAPPA (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, pappalysin 1), ARR3 (arrestin 3, retinal (X-arrestin)), NPPC (natriuretic peptide precursor C), AHSP (alpha hemoglobin stabilizing protein), PTK2 (PTK2 protein tyrosine kinase 2), IL13 (interleukin 13), MTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin (serine/threonine kinase)), ITGB2 (integrin, beta 2 (complement component 3 receptor 3 and 4 subunit)), GSTT1 (glutathione S-transferase theta 1), IL6ST (interleukin 6 signal transducer (gp130, oncostatin M receptor)), CPB2 (carboxypeptidase B2 (plasma)), CYP1A2 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 2), HNF4A (hepatocyte nuclear factor 4, alpha), SLC6A4 (solute carrier family 6 (neurotransmitter transporter, serotonin), member 4), PLA2G6 (phospholipase A2, group VI (cytosolic, calcium-independent)), TNFSF11 (tumor necrosis factor (ligand) superfamily, member 11), SLC8A1 (solute carrier family 8 (sodium/calcium exchanger), member 1), F2RL1 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 1), AKR1A1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member A1 (aldehyde reductase)), ALDH9A1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 9 family, member A1), BGLAP (bone gamma-carboxyglutamate (gla) protein), MTTP (microsomal triglyceride transfer protein), MTRR (5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase reductase), SULT1A3 (sulfotransferase family, cytosolic, 1A, phenol-preferring, member 3), RAGE (renal tumor antigen), C4B (complement component 4B (Chido blood group), P2RY12 (purinergic receptor P2Y, G-protein coupled, 12), RNLS (renalase, FAD-dependent amine oxidase), CREB1 (cAMP responsive element binding protein 1), POMC (proopiomelanocortin), RAC1 (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (rho family, small GTP binding protein Rac1)), LMNA (lamin NC), CD59 (CD59 molecule, complement regulatory protein), SCN5A (sodium channel, voltage-gated, type V, alpha subunit), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor (glycosylation-inhibiting factor)), MMP13 (matrix metallopeptidase 13 (collagenase 3)), TIMP2 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2), CYP19A1 (cytochrome P450, family 19, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), CYP21A2 (cytochrome P450, family 21, subfamily A, polypeptide 2), PTPN22 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 (lymphoid)), MYH14 (myosin, heavy chain 14, non-muscle), MBL2 (mannose-binding lectin (protein C) 2, soluble (opsonic defect)), SELPLG (selectin P ligand), AOC3 (amine oxidase, copper containing 3 (vascular adhesion protein 1)), CTSL1 (cathepsin L1), PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), IGF2 (insulin-like growth factor 2 (somatomedin A)), ITGB1 (integrin, beta 1 (fibronectin receptor, beta polypeptide, antigen CD29 includes MDF2, MSK12)), CAST (calpastatin), CXCL12 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) ligand 12 (stromal cell-derived factor 1)), IGHE (immunoglobulin heavy constant epsilon), KCNE1 (potassium voltage-gated channel, Isk-related family, member 1), TFRC (transferrin receptor (p90, CD71)), COL1A1 (collagen, type I, alpha 1), COL1A2 (collagen, type I, alpha 2), IL2RB (interleukin 2 receptor, beta), PLA2G10 (phospholipase A2, group X), ANGPT2 (angiopoietin 2), PROCR (protein C receptor, endothelial (EPCR)), NOX4 (NADPH oxidase 4), HAMP (hepcidin antimicrobial peptide), PTPN11 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 11), SLC2A1 (solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 1), IL2RA (interleukin 2 receptor, alpha), CCL5 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5), IRF1 (interferon regulatory factor 1), CFLAR (CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator), CALCA (calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha), EIF4E (eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E), GSTP1 (glutathione S-transferase pi 1), JAK2 (Janus kinase 2), CYP3A5 (cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 5), HSPG2 (heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2), CCL3 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3), MYD88 (myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88)), VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide), SOAT1 (sterol O-acyltransferase 1), ADRBK1 (adrenergic, beta, receptor kinase 1), NR4A2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 2), MMP8 (matrix metallopeptidase 8 (neutrophil collagenase)), NPR2 (natriuretic peptide receptor B/guanylate cyclase B (atrionatriuretic peptide receptor B)), GCH1 (GTP cyclohydrolase 1), EPRS (glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase), PPARGCIA (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha), F12 (coagulation factor XII (Hageman factor)), PECAM1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule), CCL4 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 4), SERPINA3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A (alpha-1 antiproteinase, antitrypsin), member 3), CASR (calcium-sensing receptor), GJA5 (gap junction protein, alpha 5, 40 kDa), FABP2 (fatty acid binding protein 2, intestinal), TTF2 (transcription termination factor, RNA polymerase II), PROS1 (protein S (alpha)), CTF1 (cardiotrophin 1), SGCB (sarcoglycan, beta (43 kDa dystrophin-associated glycoprotein)), YME1L1 (YME1-like 1 (S. cerevisiae)), CAMP (cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide), ZC3H12A (zinc finger CCCH-type containing 12A), AKR1B1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B1 (aldose reductase)), DES (desmin), MMP7 (matrix metallopeptidase 7 (matrilysin, uterine)), AHR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor), CSF1 (colony stimulating factor 1 (macrophage)), HDAC9 (histone deacetylase 9), CTGF (connective tissue growth factor), KCNMA1 (potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily M, alpha member 1), UGT1A (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A complex locus), PRKCA (protein kinase C, alpha), COMT (catechol-.beta.-methyltransferase), S100B (S100 calcium binding protein B), EGR1 (early growth response 1), PRL (prolactin), IL15 (interleukin 15), DRD4 (dopamine receptor D4), CAMK2G (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II gamma), SLC22A2 (solute carrier family 22 (organic cation transporter), member 2), CCL11 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11), PGF (B321 placental growth factor), THPO (thrombopoietin), GP6 (glycoprotein VI (platelet)), TACR1 (tachykinin receptor 1), NTS (neurotensin), HNF1A (HNF1 homeobox A), SST (somatostatin), KCND1 (potassium voltage-gated channel, Shal-related subfamily, member 1), LOC646627 (phospholipase inhibitor), TBXAS1 (thromboxane A synthase 1 (platelet)), CYP2J2 (cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily J, polypeptide 2), TBXA2R (thromboxane A2 receptor), ADH1C (alcohol dehydrogenase 1C (class I), gamma polypeptide), ALOX12 (arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase), AHSG (alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein), BHMT (betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase), GJA4 (gap junction protein, alpha 4, 37 kDa), SLC25A4 (solute carrier family 25 (mitochondrial carrier; adenine nucleotide translocator), member 4), ACLY (ATP citrate lyase), ALOX5AP (arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein), NUMA1 (nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1), CYP27B1 (cytochrome P450, family 27, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), CYSLTR2 (cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2), SOD3 (superoxide dismutase 3, extracellular), LTC4S (leukotriene C4 synthase), UCN (urocortin), GHRL (ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide), APOC2 (apolipoprotein C-II), CLEC4A (C-type lectin domain family 4, member A), KBTBD10 (kelch repeat and BTB (POZ) domain containing 10), TNC (tenascin C), TYMS (thymidylate synthetase), SHC1 (SHC (Src homology 2 domain containing) transforming protein 1), LRP1 (low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1), SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3), ADH1B (alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (class I), beta polypeptide), KLK3 (kallikrein-related peptidase 3), HSD11B1 (hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 1), VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex, subunit 1), SERPINB2 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade B (ovalbumin), member 2), TNS1 (tensin 1), RNF19A (ring finger protein 19A), EPOR (erythropoietin receptor), ITGAM (integrin, alpha M (complement component 3 receptor 3 subunit)), PITX2 (paired-like homeodomain 2), MAPK7 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 7), FCGR3A (Fc fragment of IgG, low affinity 111a, receptor (CD16a)), LEPR (leptin receptor), ENG (endoglin), GPX1 (glutathione peroxidase 1), GOT2 (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2, mitochondrial (aspartate aminotransferase 2)), HRH1 (histamine receptor H1), NR112 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2), CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone), HTR1A (5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 1A), VDAC1 (voltage-dependent anion channel 1), HPSE (heparanase), SFTPD (surfactant protein D), TAP2 (transporter 2, ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B (MDR/TAP)), RNF123 (ring finger protein 123), PTK2B (PTK2B protein tyrosine kinase 2 beta), NTRK2 (neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor, type 2), IL6R (interleukin 6 receptor), ACHE (acetylcholinesterase (Yt blood group)), GLP1R (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor), GHR (growth hormone receptor), GSR (glutathione reductase), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1), NR5A1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 1), GJB2 (gap junction protein, beta 2, 26 kDa), SLC9A1 (solute carrier family 9 (sodium/hydrogen exchanger), member 1), MAOA (monoamine oxidase A), PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), FCGR2A (Fc fragment of IgG, low affinity IIa, receptor (CD32)), SERPINF1 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade F (alpha-2 antiplasmin, pigment epithelium derived factor), member 1), EDN3 (endothelin 3), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), GAS6 (growth arrest-specific 6), SMPD1 (sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1, acid lysosomal), UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2 (mitochondrial, proton carrier)), TFAP2A (transcription factor AP-2 alpha (activating enhancer binding protein 2 alpha)), C4BPA (complement component 4 binding protein, alpha), SERPINF2 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade F (alpha-2 antiplasmin, pigment epithelium derived factor), member 2), TYMP (thymidine phosphorylase), ALPP (alkaline phosphatase, placental (Regan isozyme)), CXCR2 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) receptor 2), SLC39A3 (solute carrier family 39 (zinc transporter), member 3), ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 2), ADA (adenosine deaminase), JAK3 (Janus kinase 3), HSPA1A (heat shock 70 kDa protein 1A), FASN (fatty acid synthase), FGF1 (fibroblast growth factor 1 (acidic)), F11 (coagulation factor XI), ATP7A (ATPase, Cu++ transporting, alpha polypeptide), CR1 (complement component (3b/4b) receptor 1 (Knops blood group)), GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), ROCK1 (Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1), MECP2 (methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Rett syndrome)), MYLK (myosin light chain kinase), BCHE (butyrylcholinesterase), LIPE (lipase, hormone-sensitive), PRDX5 (peroxiredoxin 5), ADORA1 (adenosine A1 receptor), WRN (Werner syndrome, RecQ helicase-like), CXCR3 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) receptor 3), CD81 (CD81 molecule), SMAD7 (SMAD family member 7), LAMC2 (laminin, gamma 2), MAP3K5 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 5), CHGA (chromogranin A (parathyroid secretory protein 1)), IAPP (islet amyloid polypeptide), RHO (rhodopsin), ENPP1 (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 1), PTHLH (parathyroid hormone-like hormone), NRG1 (neuregulin 1), VEGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), ENPEP (glutamyl aminopeptidase (aminopeptidase A)), CEBPB (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), beta), NAGLU (N-acetylglucosaminidase, alpha-), F2RL3 (coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like 3), CX3CL1 (chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1), BDKRB1 (bradykinin receptor B1), ADAMTS13 (ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif, 13), ELANE (elastase, neutrophil expressed), ENPP2 (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2), CISH (cytokine inducible SH2-containing protein), GAST (gastrin), MYOC (myocilin, trabecular meshwork inducible glucocorticoid response), ATP1A2 (ATPase, Na+/K+ transporting, alpha 2 polypeptide), NF1 (neurofibromin 1), GJB1 (gap junction protein, beta 1, 32 kDa), MEF2A (myocyte enhancer factor 2A), VCL (vinculin), BMPR2 (bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type II (serine/threonine kinase)), TUBB (tubulin, beta), CDCl₄2 (cell division cycle 42 (GTP binding protein, 25 kDa)), KRT18 (keratin 18), HSF1 (heat shock transcription factor 1), MYB (v-myb myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (avian)), PRKAA2 (protein kinase, AMP-activated, alpha 2 catalytic subunit), ROCK2 (Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2), TFPI (tissue factor pathway inhibitor (lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor)), PRKG1 (protein kinase, cGMP-dependent, type I), BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2), CTNND1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), delta 1), CTH (cystathionase (cystathionine gamma-lyase)), CTSS (cathepsin S), VAV2 (vav 2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor), NPY2R (neuropeptide Y receptor Y2), IGFBP2 (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2, 36 kDa), CD28 (CD28 molecule), GSTA1 (glutathione S-transferase alpha 1), PPIA (peptidylprolyl isomerase A (cyclophilin A)), APOH (apolipoprotein H (beta-2-glycoprotein I)), S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8), IL11 (interleukin 11), ALOX15 (arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase), FBLN1 (fibulin 1), NR1H3 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 3), SCD (stearoyl-CoA desaturase (delta-9-desaturase)), GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide), CHGB (chromogranin B (secretogranin 1)), PRKCB (protein kinase C, beta), SRD5A1 (steroid-5-alpha-reductase, alpha polypeptide 1 (3-oxo-5 alpha-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase alpha 1)), HSD11B2 (hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 2), CALCRL (calcitonin receptor-like), GALNT2 (UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 2 (GalNAc-T2)), ANGPTL4 (angiopoietin-like 4), KCNN4 (potassium intermediate/small conductance calcium-activated channel, subfamily N, member 4), PIK3C2A (phosphoinositide-3-kinase, class 2, alpha polypeptide), HBEGF (heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor), CYP7A1 (cytochrome P450, family 7, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), HLA-DRB5 (major histocompatibility complex, class IL, DR beta 5), BNIP3 (BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3), GCKR (glucokinase (hexokinase 4) regulator), S100A12 (S100 calcium binding protein A12), PADI4 (peptidyl arginine deiminase, type IV), HSPA14 (heat shock 70 kDa protein 14), CXCR1 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) receptor 1), H19 (H19, imprinted maternally expressed transcript (non-protein coding)), KRTAP19-3 (keratin associated protein 19-3), IDDM2 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 2), RAC2 (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 2 (rho family, small GTP binding protein Rac2)), RYR1 (ryanodine receptor 1 (skeletal)), CLOCK (clock homolog (mouse)), NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor (TNFR superfamily, member 16)), DBH (dopamine beta-hydroxylase (dopamine beta-monooxygenase)), CHRNA4 (cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4), CACNAIC (calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1C subunit), PRKAG2 (protein kinase, AMP-activated, gamma 2 non-catalytic subunit), CHAT (choline acetyltransferase), PTGDS (prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa (brain)), NR1H2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 2), TEK (TEK tyrosine kinase, endothelial), VEGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), MEF2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2C), MAPKAPK2 (mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2), TNFRSF11A (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11a, NFKB activator), HSPA9 (heat shock 70 kDa protein 9 (mortalin)), CYSLTR1 (cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1), MAT1A (methionine adenosyltransferase I, alpha), OPRL1 (opiate receptor-like 1), IMPA1 (inositol(myo)-1(or 4)-monophosphatase 1), CLCN2 (chloride channel 2), DLD (dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase), PSMA6 (proteasome (prosome, macropain) subunit, alpha type, 6), PSMB8 (proteasome (prosome, macropain) subunit, beta type, 8 (large multifunctional peptidase 7)), CHI3L1 (chitinase 3-like 1 (cartilage glycoprotein-39)), ALDH1B1 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member B1), PARP2 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 2), STAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), LBP (lipopolysaccharide binding protein), ABCC6 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family C(CFTR/MRP), member 6), RGS2 (regulator of G-protein signaling 2, 24 kDa), EFNB2 (ephrin-B2), GJB6 (gap junction protein, beta 6, 30 kDa), APOA2 (apolipoprotein A-II), AMPD1 (adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1), DYSF (dysferlin, limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B (autosomal recessive)), FDFT1 (farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1), EDN2 (endothelin 2), CCR6 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 6), GJB3 (gap junction protein, beta 3, 31 kDa), IL1RL1 (interleukin 1 receptor-like 1), ENTPD1 (ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1), BBS4 (Bardet-Biedl syndrome 4), CELSR2 (cadherin, EGF LAG seven-pass G-type receptor 2 (flamingo homolog, Drosophila)), F11R (F11 receptor), RAPGEF3 (Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) 3), HYAL1 (hyaluronoglucosaminidase 1), ZNF259 (zinc finger protein 259), ATOX1 (ATX1 antioxidant protein 1 homolog (yeast)), ATF6 (activating transcription factor 6), KHK (ketohexokinase (fructokinase)), SAT1 (spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1), GGH (gamma-glutamyl hydrolase (conjugase, folylpolygammaglutamyl hydrolase)), TIMP4 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 4), SLC4A4 (solute carrier family 4, sodium bicarbonate cotransporter, member 4), PDE2A (phosphodiesterase 2A, cGMP-stimulated), PDE3B (phosphodiesterase 3B, cGMP-inhibited), FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1), FADS2 (fatty acid desaturase 2), TMSB4X (thymosin beta 4, X-linked), TXNIP (thioredoxin interacting protein), LIMS1 (LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domains 1), RHOB (ras homolog gene family, member B), LY96 (lymphocyte antigen 96), FOXO1 (forkhead box O1), PNPLA2 (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2), TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone), GJC1 (gap junction protein, gamma 1, 45 kDa), SLC17A5 (solute carrier family 17 (anion/sugar transporter), member 5), FTO (fat mass and obesity associated), GJD2 (gap junction protein, delta 2, 36 kDa), PSRC1 (proline/serine-rich coiled-coil 1), CASP12 (caspase 12 (gene/pseudogene)), GPBAR1 (G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1), PXK (PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase), 1L33 (interleukin 33), TRIB1 (tribbles homolog 1 (Drosophila)), PBX4 (pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 4), NUPR1 (nuclear protein, transcriptional regulator, 1), 15-Sep (15 kDa selenoprotein), CILP2 (cartilage intermediate layer protein 2), TERC (telomerase RNA component), GGT2 (gamma-glutamyltransferase 2), MT-CO1 (mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase I), and UOX (urate oxidase, pseudogene).

In an additional embodiment, the chromosomal sequence may further be selected from Poni (paraoxonase 1), LDLR (LDL receptor), ApoE (Apolipoprotein E), Apo B-100 (Apolipoprotein B-100), ApoA (Apolipoprotein(a)), ApoA1 (Apolipoprotein A1), CBS (Cystathione B-synthase), Glycoprotein IIb/IIb, MTHRF (5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (NADPH), and combinations thereof. In one iteration, the chromosomal sequences and proteins encoded by chromosomal sequences involved in cardiovascular disease may be chosen from Cacna1C, Sod1, Pten, Ppar(alpha), Apo E, Leptin, and combinations thereof.

Kidneys

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to the kidney. Delivery strategies to induce cellular uptake of the therapeutic nucleic acid include physical force or vector systems such as viral-, lipid- or complex-based delivery, or nanocarriers. From the initial applications with less possible clinical relevance, when nucleic acids were addressed to renal cells with hydrodynamic high pressure injection systemically, a wide range of gene therapeutic viral and non-viral carriers have been applied already to target posttranscriptional events in different animal kidney disease models in vivo (Csaba Revesz and Peter Hamar (2011). Delivery Methods to Target RNAs in the Kidney, Gene Therapy Applications, Prof. Chunsheng Kang (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-541-9, InTech, Available from: intechopen.com/books/gene-therapy-applications/delivery-methods-to-target-rnas-in-the-kidney). Delivery methods to the kidney are summarized as follows in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Delivery method Carrier Target RNA Disease Model Functional assays Author Hydrodynamic/ TransIT In Vivo p85α Acute renal Ischemia- Uptake, Larson et al., Lipid Gene Delivery injury reperfusion biodistribution Surgery, (August System, DOTAP 2007), Vol. 142, No. 2, pp. (262- 269) Hydrodynamic/ Lipofectamine Fas Acute renal Ischemia- Blood urea Hamar et al., Proc Lipid 2000 injuiy reperfusion nitrogen, Fas Natl Acad Sci, Immunohistochemistry, (October 2004), apoptosis, Vol. 101, histological No. 41, pp. scoring (14883-14888) Hydrodynamic n.a. Apoptosis Acute renal Ischemia- n.a. Zheng et al., cascade injury reperfusion Am J Pathol, elements (October 2008), Vol. 173, No. 4, pp. (973-980) Hydrodynamic n.a. Nuclear Acute renal Ischemia- n.a. Feng et al., factor injury reperfusion Transplantation, kappa-b (May 2009), Vol. (NFkB) 87, No. 9, pp. (1283-1289) Hydrodynamic/ Lipofectamine Apoptosis Acute renal Ischemia- Apoptosis, Xie & Guo, Am Viral 2000 antagonizing injuiy reperfusion oxidative stress, Soc Nephrol, transcription caspase activation, (December 2006), factor (AATF) membrane lipid Vol. 17, No. peroxidation 12, pp. (3336-3346) Hydrodynamic pBAsi mU6 Neo/ Gremlin Diabetic Streptozotozin - Proteinuria, serum Q. Zhang et al., TransIT-EE nephropathy induced creatinine, PloS ONE, Hydrodynamic diabetes glomerular and (July 2010), Delivery tubular diameter, Vol. 5, No. System collagen type 7, e11709, pp. IV/BMP7 (1-13) expression Viral/Lipid pSUPER TGF-β Interstitial Unilateral α-SMA Kushibikia et al., J vector/ type II renal fibrosis urethral expression, Controlled Release, Lipofectamine receptor obstruction collagen content, (July 2005), Vol. 105, No. 3, pp. (318-331) Viral Adeno- Mineral Hypertension Cold-induced blood pressure, Wang et al., Gene associated corticoid caused renal hypertension serum albumin, Therapy, virus-2 receptor damage serum urea (July 2006), nitrogen, serum Vol. 13, No. creatinine, kidney 14, pp. weight, urinary (1097-1103) sodium Hydrodynamic/ pU6 vector Luciferase n.a. n.a. uptake Kobayashi et al., Viral Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, (February 2004), Vol. 308, No. 2, pp. (688-693) Lipid Lipoproteins, apoB1, apoM n.a. n.a. Uptake, binding Wolfrum et al., albumin affinity to Nature lipoproteins and Biotechnology, albumin (September 2007), Vol. 25, No. 10, pp. (1149-1157) Lipid Lipofectamine2000 p53 Acute renal Ischemic and Histological Molitoris injuiy cisplatin- scoring, apoptosis et al., J induced acute Am Soc Nephrol, injuiy (August 2009), Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. (1754-1764) Lipid DOTAP/DOPE, COX-2 Breast MDA-MB- Cell viability, Mikhaylova et al., DOTAP/DOPE/ adenocarcinoma 231 breast uptake Cancer Gene DOPE-PEG2000 cancer Therapy, xenograft- (March 2011) bearing Vol. 16, mouse No. 3, pp. (217-226) Lipid Cholesterol 12/15- Diabetic Streptozotocin - Albuminuria, Yuan et al., Am J lipoxygenase nephropathy induced urinary creatinine, Physiol Renal diabetes histology, type I Physiol, (June and IV collagen, 2008), Vol. 295, TGF-β, pp. (F605-F617) fibronectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 Lipid Lipofectamine Mitochondrial Diabetic Streptozotocin - Cell proliferation Y. Zhang et al., J 2000 membrane 44 nephropathy induced and apoptosis, Am Soc Nephrol, (TIM44) diabetes histology, ROS, (April 2006), Vol. mitochondrial 17, No. 4, pp. import of Mn- (1090-1101) SOD and glutathione peroxidase, cellular membrane polarization Hydrodynamic/ Proteoliposome RLIP76 Renal Caki-2 kidney uptake Singhal et al., Lipid carcinoma cancer Cancer Res, xenograft- (May 2009), bearing Vol. 69, No. mouse 10, pp. (4244-4251) Polymer PEGylated Luciferase n.a. n.a. Uptake, Malek et al., PEI pGL3 biodistribution, Toxicology and erythrocyte Applied aggregation Pharmacology, (April 2009), Vol. 236, No. 1, pp. (97-108) Polymer PEGylated MAPK1 Lupus Glomerulonephritis Proteinuria, Shimizu et al., J poly-L-lysine glomerulonephritis glomerulosclerosis, Am Soc TGF- β, Nephrology, fibronectin, (April 2010), plasminogen Vol. 21, No. activator inhibitor 1 4, pp. (622-633) Polymer/Nano Hyaluronic acid/ VEGF Kidney B16F1 Biodistribution, Jiang et al., particle Quantum dot/PEI cancer/ melanoma citotoxicity, tumor Molecular melanoma tumor- volume, Pharmaceutics, bearing endocytosis (May-June 2009), mouse Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. (727-737) Polymer/Nano PEGylated GAPDH n.a. n.a. cell viability, Cao et al, J particle polycaprolactone uptake Controlled nanofiber Release, (June 2010), Vol. 144, No. 2, pp. (203-212) Aptamer Spiegelmer CC chemokine Glomerulosclerosis Uninephrectomized urinary albumin, Ninichuk mNOX-E36 ligand 2 mouse urinary creatinine, et al., Am histopathology, J Pathol, glomerular (March 2008), filtration rate, Vol. 172, macrophage count, No. 3, pp. serum Ccl2, Mac- (628-637) 2+, Ki-67+ Aptamer Aptamer vasopressin Congestive n.a. Binding affinity to Purschke et al., NOX-F37 (AVP) heart D-AVP, Inhibition Proc Natl Acad Sci, failure of AVP Signaling, (March 2006), Vol. Urine osmolality 103, No. 13, pp. and sodium (5173-5178) concentration,

Yuan et al. (Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 295: F605-F617, 2008) investigated whether in vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting the 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) pathway of arachidonate acid metabolism can ameliorate renal injury and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in a streptozotocin injected mouse model of type 1 diabetes. To achieve greater in vivo access and siRNA expression in the kidney, Yuan et al. used double-stranded 12/15-LO siRNA oligonucleotides conjugated with cholesterol. About 400 μg of siRNA was injected subcutaneously into mice. The method of Yuang et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention contemplating a 1-2 g subcutaneous injection of CRISPR Cas conjugated with cholesterol to a human for delivery to the kidneys.

Molitoris et al. (J Am Soc Nephrol 20: 1754-1764, 2009) exploited proximal tubule cells (PTCs), as the site of oligonucleotide reabsorption within the kidney to test the efficacy of siRNA targeted to p53, a pivotal protein in the apoptotic pathway, to prevent kidney injury. Naked synthetic siRNA to p53 injected intravenously 4 h after ischemic injury maximally protected both PTCs and kidney function. Molitoris et al.'s data indicates that rapid delivery of siRNA to proximal tubule cells follows intravenous administration. For dose-response analysis, rats were injected with doses of siP53, 0.33; 1, 3, or 5 mg/kg, given at the same four time points, resulting in cumulative doses of 1.32; 4, 12, and 20 mg/kg, respectively. All siRNA doses tested produced a SCr reducing effect on day one with higher doses being effective over approximately five days compared with PBS-treated ischemic control rats. The 12 and 20 mg/kg cumulative doses provided the best protective effect. The method of Molitoris et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention contemplating 12 and 20 mg/kg cumulative doses to a human for delivery to the kidneys.

Thompson et al. (Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Volume 22, Number 4, 2012) reports the toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of the synthetic, small interfering RNA I5NP following intravenous administration in rodents and nonhuman primates. I5NP is designed to act via the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway to temporarily inhibit expression of the pro-apoptotic protein p53 and is being developed to protect cells from acute ischemia/reperfusion injuries such as acute kidney injury that can occur during major cardiac surgery and delayed graft function that can occur following renal transplantation. Doses of 800 mg/kg I5NP in rodents, and 1,000 mg/kg I5NP in nonhuman primates, were required to elicit adverse effects, which in the monkey were isolated to direct effects on the blood that included a sub-clinical activation of complement and slightly increased clotting times. In the rat, no additional adverse effects were observed with a rat analogue of I5NP, indicating that the effects likely represent class effects of synthetic RNA duplexes rather than toxicity related to the intended pharmacologic activity of I5NP. Taken together, these data support clinical testing of intravenous administration of I5NP for the preservation of renal function following acute ischemia/reperfusion injury. The no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) in the monkey was 500 mg/kg. No effects on cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurologic parameters were observed in monkeys following i.v. administration at dose levels up to 25 mg/kg. Therefore, a similar dosage may be contemplated for intravenous administration of CRISPR Cas to the kidneys of a human.

Shimizu et al. (J Am Soc Nephrol 21: 622-633, 2010) developed a system to target delivery of siRNAs to glomeruli via poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(L-lysine)-based vehicles. The siRNA/nanocarrier complex was approximately 10 to 20 nm in diameter, a size that would allow it to move across the fenestrated endothelium to access to the mesangium. After intraperitoneal injection of fluorescence-labeled siRNA/nanocarrier complexes, Shimizu et al. detected siRNAs in the blood circulation for a prolonged time. Repeated intraperitoneal administration of a mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) siRNA/nanocarrier complex suppressed glomerular MAPK1 mRNA and protein expression in a mouse model of glomerulonephritis. For the investigation of siRNA accumulation, Cy5-labeled siRNAs complexed with PIC nanocarriers (0.5 ml, 5 nmol of siRNA content), naked Cy5-labeled siRNAs (0.5 ml, 5 nmol), or Cy5-labeled siRNAs encapsulated in HVJ-E (0.5 ml, 5 nmol of siRNA content) were administrated to BALB-c mice. The method of Shimizu et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention contemplating a dose of about of 10-20 μmol CRISPR Cas complexed with nanocarriers in about 1-2 liters to a human for intraperitoneal administration and delivery to the kidneys.

Lungs

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to one or both lungs.

Although AAV-2-based vectors were originally proposed for CFTR delivery to CF airways, other serotypes such as AAV-1, AAV-5, AAV-6, and AAV-9 exhibit improved gene transfer efficiency in a variety of models of the lung epithelium (see, e.g., Li et al., Molecular Therapy, vol. 17 no. 12, 2067-277 December 2009). AAV-1 was demonstrated to be ˜100-fold more efficient than AAV-2 and AAV-5 at transducing human airway epithelial cells in vitro, 5 although AAV-1 transduced murine tracheal airway epithelia in vivo with an efficiency equal to that of AAV-5. Other studies have shown that AAV-5 is 50-fold more efficient than AAV-2 at gene delivery to human airway epithelium (HAE) in vitro and significantly more efficient in the mouse lung airway epithelium in vivo. AAV-6 has also been shown to be more efficient than AAV-2 in human airway epithelial cells in vitro and murine airways in vivo.8 The more recent isolate, AAV-9, was shown to display greater gene transfer efficiency than AAV-5 in murine nasal and alveolar epithelia in vivo with gene expression detected for over 9 months suggesting AAV may enable long-term gene expression in vivo, a desirable property for a CFTR gene delivery vector. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that AAV-9 could be readministered to the murine lung with no loss of CFTR expression and minimal immune consequences. CF and non-CF HAE cultures may be inoculated on the apical surface with 100 μl of AAV vectors for hours (see, e.g., Li et al., Molecular Therapy, vol. 17 no. 12, 2067-277 December 2009). The MOI may vary from 1×10³ to 4×10⁵ vector genomes/cell, depending on virus concentration and purposes of the experiments. The above cited vectors are contemplated for the delivery and/or administration of the invention.

Zamora et al. (Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 183. pp 531-538, 2011) reported an example of the application of an RNA interference therapeutic to the treatment of human infectious disease and also a randomized trial of an antiviral drug in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-infected lung transplant recipients. Zamora et al. performed a randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled trial in LTX recipients with RSV respiratory tract infection. Patients were permitted to receive standard of care for RSV. Aerosolized ALN-RSV01 (0.6 mg/kg) or placebo was administered daily for 3 days. This study demonstrates that an RNAi therapeutic targeting RSV can be safely administered to LTX recipients with RSV infection. Three daily doses of ALN-RSV01 did not result in any exacerbation of respiratory tract symptoms or impairment of lung function and did not exhibit any systemic proinflammatory effects, such as induction of cytokines or CRP. Pharmacokinetics showed only low, transient systemic exposure after inhalation, consistent with preclinical animal data showing that ALN-RSV01, administered intravenously or by inhalation, is rapidly cleared from the circulation through exonuclease mediated digestion and renal excretion. The method of Zamora et al. may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention and an aerosolized CRISPR Cas, for example with a dosage of 0.6 mg/kg, may be contemplated for the present invention.

For an example of CFTRdelta508 chimeric guide RNA, see Example 22 which demonstrates gene transfer or gene delivery of a CRISPR-Cas system in airways of subject or a patient in need thereof, suffering from cystic fibrosis or from cystic fibrosis (CF) related symptoms, using adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles. In particular, they exemplify a repair strategy for Cystic Fibrosis delta F508 mutation. This type of strategy should apply across all organisms. With particular reference to CF, suitable patients may include: Human, non-primate human, canine, feline, bovine, equine and other domestic animals. In this instance, Applicants utilized a CRISPR-Cas system comprising a Cas9 enzyme to target deltaF508 or other CFTR-inducing mutations.

The treated subjects in this instance receive pharmaceutically effective amount of aerosolized AAV vector system per lung endobronchially delivered while spontaneously breathing. As such, aerosolized delivery is preferred for AAV delivery in general. An adenovirus or an AAV particle may be used for delivery. Suitable gene constructs, each operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences, may be cloned into the delivery vector. In this instance, the following constructs are provided as examples: Cbh or EF1a promoter for Cas9, U6 or H1 promoter for chimeric guide RNA): A preferred arrangement is to use a CFTRdelta508 targeting chimeric guide, a repair template for deltaF508 mutation and a codon optimized Cas9 enzyme (preferred Cas9s are those with nuclease or nickase activity) with optionally one or more nuclear localization signal or sequence(s) (NLS(s)), e.g., two (2) NLSs. Constructs without NLS are also envisaged.

In order to identify the Cas9 target site, Applicants analyzed the human CFTR genomic locus and identified the Cas9 target site. Preferably, in general and in this CF case, the PAM may contain a NGG or a NNAGAAW motif.

Accordingly, in the case of CF, the present method comprises manipulation of a target sequence in a genomic locus of interest comprising

delivering a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a viral vector system comprising one or more viral vectors operably encoding a composition for expression thereof, wherein the composition comprises:

a non-naturally occurring or engineered composition comprising a vector system comprising one or more vectors comprising

I. a first regulatory element operably linked to a CRISPR-Cas system chimeric RNA (chiRNA) polynucleotide sequence, wherein the polynucleotide sequence comprises

(a) a guide sequence capable of hybridizing to the CF target sequence in a suitable mammalian cell,

(b) a tracr mate sequence, and

(c) a tracr sequence, and

II. a second regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme comprising at least one or more nuclear localization sequences,

wherein (a), (b) and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation,

wherein components I and II are located on the same or different vectors of the system,

wherein when transcribed, the tracr mate sequence hybridizes to the tracr sequence and the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence, and

wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the CRISPR enzyme complexed with (1) the guide sequence that is hybridized to the target sequence, and (2) the tracr mate sequence that is hybridized to the tracr sequence. In respect of CF, preferred target DNA sequences comprise the CFTRdelta508 mutation. A preferred PAM is described above. A preferred CRISPR enzyme is any Cas (described herein, but particularly that described in Example 22).

Alternatives to CF include any genetic disorder and examples of these are well known. Another preferred method or use of the invention is for correcting defects in the EMP2A and EMP2B genes that have been identified to be associated with Lafora disease.

In some embodiments, a “guide sequence” may be distinct from “guide RNA”. A guide sequence may refer to an approx. 20 bp sequence, within the guide RNA, that specifies the target site.

In some embodiments, the Cas9 is (or is derived from) SpCas9. In such embodiments, preferred mutations are at any or all or positions 10, 762, 840, 854, 863 and/or 986 of SpCas9 or corresponding positions in other Cas9s (which may be ascertained for instance by standard sequence comparison tools. In particular, any or all of the following mutations are preferred in SpCas9: D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and/or D986A; as well as conservative substitution for any of the replacement amino acids is also envisaged. The same (or conservative substitutions of these mutations) at corresponding positions in other Cas9s are also preferred. Particularly preferred are D10 and H840 in SpCas9. However, in other Cas9s, residues corresponding to SpCas9 D10 and H840 are also preferred. These are advantageous as they provide nickase activity. Such mutations may be applied to all aspects of the present invention, not only treatment of CF.

Schwank et al. (Cell Stem Cell, 13:653-58, 2013) used CRISPR/Cas9 to correct a defect associated with cystic fibrosis in human stem cells. The team's target was the gene for an ion channel, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor receptor (CFTR). A deletion in CFTR causes the protein to misfold in cystic fibrosis patients. Using cultured intestinal stem cells developed from cell samples from two children with cystic fibrosis, Schwank et al. were able to correct the defect using CRISPR along with a donor plasmid containing the reparative sequence to be inserted. The researchers then grew the cells into intestinal “organoids,” or miniature guts, and showed that they functioned normally. In this case, about half of clonal organoids underwent the proper genetic correction.

Muscles

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to muscle(s).

Bortolanza et al. (Molecular Therapy vol. 19 no. 11, 2055-264 November 2011) shows that systemic delivery of RNA interference expression cassettes in the FRG1 mouse, after the onset of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), led to a dose-dependent long-term FRG1 knockdown without signs of toxicity. Bortolanza et al. found that a single intravenous injection of 5×10¹² vg of rAAV6-sh1FRG1 rescues muscle histopathology and muscle function of FRG1 mice. In detail, 200 μl containing 2×10¹² or 5×10¹² vg of vector in physiological solution were injected into the tail vein using a 25-gauge Terumo syringe. The method of Bortolanza et al. may be applied to an AAV expressing CRISPR Cas and injected into humans at a dosage of about 2×10¹⁵ or 2×10¹⁶ vg of vector.

Dumonceaux et al. (Molecular Therapy vol. 18 no. 5, 881-887 May 2010) inhibit the myostatin pathway using the technique of RNA interference directed against the myostatin receptor AcvRIIb mRNA (sh-AcvRIIb). The restoration of a quasi-dystrophin was mediated by the vectorized U7 exon-skipping technique (U7-DYS). Adeno-associated vectors carrying either the sh-AcvrIIb construct alone, the U7-DYS construct alone, or a combination of both constructs were injected in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of dystrophic mdx mice. The injections were performed with 10¹¹ AAV viral genomes. The method of Dumonceaux et al. may be applied to an AAV expressing CRISPR Cas and injected into humans, for example, at a dosage of about 10¹⁴ to about 10¹⁵ vg of vector.

Kinouchi et al. (Gene Therapy (2008) 15, 1126-1130) report the effectiveness of in vivo siRNA delivery into skeletal muscles of normal or diseased mice through nanoparticle formation of chemically unmodified siRNAs with atelocollagen (ATCOL). ATCOL-mediated local application of siRNA targeting myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, in mouse skeletal muscles or intravenously, caused a marked increase in the muscle mass within a few weeks after application. These results imply that ATCOL-mediated application of siRNAs is a powerful tool for future therapeutic use for diseases including muscular atrophy. Mst-siRNAs (final concentration, 10 mM) were mixed with ATCOL (final concentration for local administration, 0.5%) (AteloGene, Kohken, Tokyo, Japan) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After anesthesia of mice (20-week-old male C57BL6) by Nembutal (25 mg/kg, i.p.), the Mst-siRNA/ATCOL complex was injected into the masseter and biceps femoris muscles. The method of Kinouchi et al. may be applied to CRISPR Cas and injected into a human, for example, at a dosage of about 500 to 1000 ml of a 40 μM solution into the muscle.

Hagstrom et al. (Molecular Therapy Vol. 10, No. 2, August 2004) describe an intravascular, nonviral methodology that enables efficient and repeatable delivery of nucleic acids to muscle cells (myofibers) throughout the limb muscles of mammals. The procedure involves the injection of naked plasmid DNA or siRNA into a distal vein of a limb that is transiently isolated by a tourniquet or blood pressure cuff. Nucleic acid delivery to myofibers is facilitated by its rapid injection in sufficient volume to enable extravasation of the nucleic acid solution into muscle tissue. High levels of transgene expression in skeletal muscle were achieved in both small and large animals with minimal toxicity. Evidence of siRNA delivery to limb muscle was also obtained. For plasmid DNA intravenous injection into a rhesus monkey, a threeway stopcock was connected to two syringe pumps (Model PHD 2000; Harvard Instruments), each loaded with a single syringe. Five minutes after a papaverine injection, pDNA (15.5 to 25.7 mg in 40-100 ml saline) was injected at a rate of 1.7 or 2.0 ml/s. This could be scaled up for plasmid DNA expressing CRISPR Cas of the present invention with an injection of about 300 to 500 mg in 800 to 2000 ml saline for a human. For adenoviral vector injections into a rat, 2×10⁹ infectious particles were injected in 3 ml of normal saline solution (NSS). This could be scaled up for an adenoviral vector expressing CRISPR Cas of the present invention with an injection of about 1×10¹³ infectious particles were injected in 10 liters of NSS for a human. For siRNA, a rat was injected into the great saphenous vein with 12.5 μg of a siRNA and a primate was injected into the great saphenous vein with 750 μg of a siRNA. This could be scaled up for a CRISPR Cas of the present invention, for example, with an injection of about 15 to about 50 mg into the great saphenous vein of a human.

Skin

The present invention also contemplates delivering the CRISPR-Cas system to the skin.

Hickerson et al. (Molecular Therapy—Nucleic Acids (2013) 2, e129) relates to a motorized microneedle array skin delivery device for delivering self-delivery (sd)-siRNA to human and murine skin. The primary challenge to translating siRNA-based skin therapeutics to the clinic is the development of effective delivery systems. Substantial effort has been invested in a variety of skin delivery technologies with limited success. In a clinical study in which skin was treated with siRNA, the exquisite pain associated with the hypodermic needle injection precluded enrollment of additional patients in the trial, highlighting the need for improved, more “patient-friendly” (i.e., little or no pain) delivery approaches. Microneedles represent an efficient way to deliver large charged cargos including siRNAs across the primary barrier, the stratum corneum, and are generally regarded as less painful than conventional hypodermic needles. Motorized “stamp type” microneedle devices, including the motorized microneedle array (MMNA) device used by Hickerson et al., have been shown to be safe in hairless mice studies and cause little or no pain as evidenced by (i) widespread use in the cosmetic industry and (ii) limited testing in which nearly all volunteers found use of the device to be much less painful than a flushot, suggesting siRNA delivery using this device will result in much less pain than was experienced in the previous clinical trial using hypodermic needle injections. The MMNA device (marketed as Triple-M or Tri-M by Bomtech Electronic Co, Seoul, South Korea) was adapted for delivery of siRNA to mouse and human skin. sd-siRNA solution (up to 300 μl of 0.1 mg/ml RNA) was introduced into the chamber of the disposable Tri-M needle cartridge (Bomtech), which was set to a depth of 0.1 mm. For treating human skin, deidentified skin (obtained immediately following surgical procedures) was manually stretched and pinned to a cork platform before treatment. All intradermal injections were performed using an insulin syringe with a 28-gauge 0.5-inch needle. The MMNA device and method of Hickerson et al. could be used and/or adapted to deliver the CRISPR Cas of the present invention, for example, at a dosage of up to 300 μl of 0.1 mg/ml CRISPR Cas to the skin.

Leachman et al. (Molecular Therapy, vol. 18 no. 2, 442-446 February 2010) relates to a phase Ib clinical trial for treatment of a rare skin disorder pachyonychia congenita (PC), an autosomal dominant syndrome that includes a disabling plantar keratoderma, utilizing the first short-interfering RNA (siRNA)-based therapeutic for skin. This siRNA, called TD101, specifically and potently targets the keratin 6a (K6a) N171K mutant mRNA without affecting wild-type K6a mRNA. The dose-escalation schedule is presented below in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Concentration Total dose Volume of TD101 TD101 Week Dose no. Days (ml) (mg/ml) (mg) 1 1-2 1-7 0.1 1.0 0.10 2 3-4  8-14 0.25 1.0 0.25 3 5-6 15-21 0.50 1.0 0.50 4 7-8 22-28 1.0 1.0 1.0 5  9-10 29-35 1.5 1.0 1.5 6 11-12 36-42 2.0 1.0 2.0 7 13-14 43-49 2.0 1.5 3.0 8 15-16 50-56 2.0 2.0 4.0 9 17-18 57-63 2.0 2.5 5.0 10 19-20 64-70 2.0 3.0 6.0 11 21-22 71-77 2.0 3.5 7.0 12 23-24 78-84 2.0 4.0 8.0 13 25-26 85-91 2.0 4.5 9.0 14 27-28 92-98 2.0 5.0 10.0 15 29-30  99-105 2.0 6.0 12.0 16 31-32 106-112 2.0 7.0 14.0 17 33 113-119 2.0 8.5 17.0

Initially, 0.1 ml of a 1.0 mg/ml solution of TD 101 or vehicle alone (Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline without calcium or magnesium) was administered to symmetric calluses. Six rising dose-volumes were completed without an adverse reaction to the increases: 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ml of a 1.0 mg/ml solution of TD101 solution per injection. As the highest planned volume (2.0 ml) was well tolerated, the concentration of TD11 was then increased each week from 1 mg/ml up to a final concentration of 8.5 mg/ml. Similar dosages are contemplated for the administration of a CRISPR Cas that specifically and potently targets the keratin 6a (K6a) N171 K mutant mRNA.

Zheng et al. (PNAS, Jul. 24, 2012, vol. 109, no. 30, 11975-11980) show that spherical nucleic acid nanoparticle conjugates (SNA-NCs), gold cores surrounded by a dense shell of highly oriented, covalently immobilized siRNA, freely penetrate almost 100 of keratinocytes in vitro, mouse skin, and human epidermis within hours after application. Zheng et al. demonstrated that a single application of 25 nM epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) SNA-NCs for 60 h demonstrate effective gene knockdown in human skin. A similar dosage may be contemplated for CRISPR Cas immobilized in SNA-NCs for administration to the skin.

Hepatitis Viruses

The present invention may also be applied to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the CRISPR Cas system must be adapted to avoid the shortcomings of RNAi, such as the risk of oversaturating endogenous small RNA pathways, by for example, optimizing dose and sequence (see, e.g., Grimm et al., Nature vol. 441, 26 May 2006). For example, low doses, such as about 1-10×10¹⁴ particles per humane are contemplated.

In another embodiment, the CRISPR Cas system directed against HBV may be administered in liposomes, such as a stable nucleic-acid-lipid particle (SNALP) (see, e.g., Morrissey et al., Nature Biotechnology, Vol. 23, No. 8, August 2005). Daily intravenous injections of about 1, 3 or 5 mg/kg/day of CRISPR Cas targeted to HBV RNA in a SNALP are contemplated. The daily treatment may be over about three days and then weekly for about five weeks.

In another embodiment, the system of Chen et al. (Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 11-19) may be used/and or adapted for the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. Chen et al. use a double-stranded adeno associated virus 8-pseudo typed vector (dsAAV2/8) to deliver shRNA. A single administration of dsAAV2/8 vector (1×10¹² vector genomes per mouse), carrying HBV-specific shRNA, effectively suppressed the steady level of HBV protein, mRNA and replicative DNA in liver of HBV transgenic mice, leading to up to 2-3 log₁₀ decrease in HBV load in the circulation. Significant HBV suppression sustained for at least 120 days after vector administration. The therapeutic effect of shRNA was target sequence dependent and did not involve activation of interferon. For the present invention, a CRISPR Cas system directed to HBV may be cloned into an AAV vector, such as a dsAAV2/8 vector and administered to a human, for example, at a dosage of about 1×10¹⁵ vector genomes to about 1×10¹⁶ vector genomes per human.

In another embodiment, the method of Wooddell et al. (Molecular Therapy vol. 21 no. 5, 973-985 May 2013) may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. Woodell et al. show that simple coinjection of a hepatocyte-targeted, N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated melittin-like peptide (NAG-MLP) with a liver-tropic cholesterol-conjugated siRNA (chol-siRNA) targeting coagulation factor VII (F7) results in efficient F7 knockdown in mice and nonhuman primates without changes in clinical chemistry or induction of cytokines. Using transient and transgenic mouse models of HBV infection, Wooddell et al. show that a single coinjection of NAG-MLP with potent chol-siRNAs targeting conserved HBV sequences resulted in multilog repression of viral RNA, proteins, and viral DNA with long duration of effect. Intravenous coinjections, for example, of about 6 mg/kg of NAG-MLP and 6 mg/kg of HBV specific CRISPR Cas may be envisioned for the present invention. In the alternative, about 3 mg/kg of NAG-MLP and 3 mg/kg of HBV specific CRISPR Cas may be delivered on day one, followed by administration of about 2-3 mg/kg of NAG-MLP and 2-3 mg/kg of HBV specific CRISPR Cas two weeks later.

The present invention may also be applied to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV). The methods of Roelvinki et al. (Molecular Therapy vol. 20 no. 9, 1737-1749 September 2012) may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system. For example, an AAV vector such as AAV8 may be a contemplated vector and for example a dosage of about 1.25×10¹¹ to 1.25×10¹³ vector genomes per kilogram body weight (vg/kg) may be contemplated.

In yet another embodiment, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing can be used to correct a disease mutation and/or phenotype. That CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing can be used to correct a disease mutation and/or phenotype in the liver and or hepatocytes is illustrated in the manuscript entitled “Genome editing with Cas9 in adult mice corrects a disease mutation and phenotype” by Hao Yin et al. published at Nature Biotechnology published online March 2014; corrected online 31 Mar. 2014, available at the website nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/nbt.2884, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The paper relates to CRISPR-Cas9-mediated correction of a Fah mutation in hepatocytes in a mouse model of the human disease hereditary tyrosinemia. It was shown that delivery of components of the CRISPR-Cas9 system by hydrodynamic injection resulted in initial expression of the wild-type Fah protein in ˜1/250 liver cells. It was further shown that expansion of Fah-positive hepatocytes rescued the body weight loss phenotype.

It will be readily apparent that a host of other diseases can be treated in a similar fashion. Some examples of genetic diseases caused by mutations are provided herein, but many more are known. The above strategy can be applied to these diseases.

Huntington's Disease (HD)

RNA interference (RNAi) offers therapeutic potential for this disorder by reducing the expression of HTT, the disease-causing gene of Huntington's disease (see, e.g., McBride et al., Molecular Therapy vol. 19 no. 12 Dec. 2011, pp. 2152-2162), therefore Applicant postulates that it may be used/and or adapted to the CRISPR-Cas system. The CRISPR-Cas system may be generated using an algorithm to reduce the off-targeting potential of antisense sequences. The CRISPR-Cas sequences may target either a sequence in exon 52 of mouse, rhesus or human huntingtin and expressed in a viral vector, such as AAV. Animals, including humans, may be injected with about three microinjections per hemisphere (six injections total): the first 1 mm rostral to the anterior commissure (12 μl) and the two remaining injections (12 μl and 10 μl, respectively) spaced 3 and 6 mm caudal to the first injection with 1e12 vg/ml of AAV at a rate of about 1 μl/minute, and the needle was left in place for an additional 5 minutes to allow the injectate to diffuse from the needle tip.

DiFiglia et al. (PNAS, Oct. 23, 2007, vol. 104, no. 43, 17204-17209) observed that single administration into the adult striatum of an siRNA targeting Htt can silence mutant Htt, attenuate neuronal pathology, and delay the abnormal behavioral phenotype observed in a rapid-onset, viral transgenic mouse model of HD. DiFiglia injected mice intrastriatally with 2 μl of Cy3-labeled cc-siRNA-Htt or unconjugated siRNA-Htt at 10 μM. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 5-10 ml of 10 μM CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be injected intrastriatally.

In another example, Boudreau et al. (Molecular Therapy vol. 17 no. 6 Jun. 2009) injects 5 μl of recombinant AAV serotype 2/1 vectors expressing htt-specific RNAi virus (at 4×10¹² viral genomes/ml) into the straiatum. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 10-20 ml of 4×10¹² viral genomes/ml) CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be injected intrastriatally.

In another example, a CRISPR Cas targeted to HTT may be administered continuously (see, e.g., Yu et al., Cell 150, 895-908, Aug. 31, 2012). Yu et al. utilizes osmotic pumps delivering 0.25 ml/hr (Model 2004) to deliver 300 mg/day of ss-siRNA or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (Sigma Aldrich) for 28 days, and pumps designed to deliver 0.5 μl/hr (Model 2002) were used to deliver 75 mg/day of the positive control MOE ASO for 14 days. Pumps (Durect Corporation) were filled with ss-siRNA or MOE diluted in sterile PBS and then incubated at 37 C for 24 or 48 (Model 2004) hours prior to implantation. Mice were anesthetized with 2.5% isofluorane, and a midline incision was made at the base of the skull. Using stereotaxic guides, a cannula was implanted into the right lateral ventricle and secured with Loctite adhesive. A catheter attached to an Alzet osmotic mini pump was attached to the cannula, and the pump was placed subcutaneously in the midscapular area. The incision was closed with 5.0 nylon sutures. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 500 to 1000 g/day CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be administered.

In another example of continuous infusion, Stiles et al. (Experimental Neurology 233 (2012) 463-471) implanted an intraparenchymal catheter with a titanium needle tip into the right putamen. The catheter was connected to a SynchroMed® II Pump (Medtronic Neurological, Minneapolis, Minn.) subcutaneously implanted in the abdomen. After a 7 day infusion of phosphate buffered saline at 6 μL/day, pumps were re-filled with test article and programmed for continuous delivery for 7 days. About 2.3 to 11.52 mg/d of siRNA were infused at varying infusion rates of about 0.1 to 0.5 μL/min. A similar dosage of CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be contemplated for humans in the present invention, for example, about 20 to 200 mg/day CRISPR Cas targeted to Htt may be administered.

In another example, the methods of US Patent Publication No. 20130253040 assigned to Sangamo may also be also be adapted from TALES to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention for treating Huntington's Disease.

Nucleic Acids, Amino Acids and Proteins

The invention uses nucleic acids to bind target DNA sequences. This is advantageous as nucleic acids are much easier and cheaper to produce than proteins, and the specificity can be varied according to the length of the stretch where homology is sought. Complex 3-D positioning of multiple fingers, for example is not required.

The terms “polynucleotide”, “nucleotide”, “nucleotide sequence”, “nucleic acid” and “oligonucleotide” are used interchangeably. They refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either deoxyribonucleotides or ribonucleotides, or analogs thereof. Polynucleotides may have any three dimensional structure, and may perform any function, known or unknown. The following are non-limiting examples of polynucleotides: coding or non-coding regions of a gene or gene fragment, loci (locus) defined from linkage analysis, exons, introns, messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA, short interfering RNA (siRNA), short-hairpin RNA (shRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), ribozymes, cDNA, recombinant polynucleotides, branched polynucleotides, plasmids, vectors, isolated DNA of any sequence, isolated RNA of any sequence, nucleic acid probes, and primers. The term also encompasses nucleic-acid-like structures with synthetic backbones, WO 97/03211 and WO 96/39154. A polynucleotide may comprise one or more modified nucleotides, such as methylated nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. If present, modifications to the nucleotide structure may be imparted before or after assembly of the polymer. The sequence of nucleotides may be interrupted by non-nucleotide components. A polynucleotide may be further modified after polymerization, such as by conjugation with a labeling component.

As used herein the term “wild type” is a term of the art understood by skilled persons and means the typical form of an organism, strain, gene or characteristic as it occurs in nature as distinguished from mutant or variant forms.

As used herein the term “variant” should be taken to mean the exhibition of qualities that have a pattern that deviates from what occurs in nature.

The terms “non-naturally occurring” or “engineered” are used interchangeably and indicate the involvement of the hand of man. The terms, when referring to nucleic acid molecules or polypeptides mean that the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide is at least substantially free from at least one other component with which they are naturally associated in nature and as found in nature.

1 “Complementarity” refers to the ability of a nucleic acid to form hydrogen bond(s) with another nucleic acid sequence by either traditional Watson-Crick base pairing or other non-traditional types. A percent complementarity indicates the percentage of residues in a nucleic acid molecule which can form hydrogen bonds (e.g., Watson-Crick base pairing) with a second nucleic acid sequence (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 out of 10 being 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% complementary). “Perfectly complementary” means that all the contiguous residues of a nucleic acid sequence will hydrogen bond with the same number of contiguous residues in a second nucleic acid sequence. “Substantially complementary” as used herein refers to a degree of complementarity that is at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% over a region of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more nucleotides, or refers to two nucleic acids that hybridize under stringent conditions.

As used herein, “stringent conditions” for hybridization refer to conditions under which a nucleic acid having complementarity to a target sequence predominantly hybridizes with the target sequence, and substantially does not hybridize to non-target sequences. Stringent conditions are generally sequence-dependent, and vary depending on a number of factors. In general, the longer the sequence, the higher the temperature at which the sequence specifically hybridizes to its target sequence. Non-limiting examples of stringent conditions are described in detail in Tijssen (1993), Laboratory Techniques In Biochemistry And Molecular Biology-Hybridization With Nucleic Acid Probes Part I, Second Chapter “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid probe assay”, Elsevier, N.Y. Where reference is made to a polynucleotide sequence, then complementary or partially complementary sequences are also envisaged. These are preferably capable of hybridising to the reference sequence under highly stringent conditions. Generally, in order to maximize the hybridization rate, relatively low-stringency hybridization conditions are selected: about 20 to 25° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)). The T_(m) is the temperature at which 50% of specific target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly complementary probe in solution at a defined ionic strength and pH. Generally, in order to require at least about 85% nucleotide complementarity of hybridized sequences, highly stringent washing conditions are selected to be about 5 to 150 C lower than the T_(m). In order to require at least about 70% nucleotide complementarity of hybridized sequences, moderately-stringent washing conditions are selected to be about 15 to 30° C. lower than the T_(m). Highly permissive (very low stringency) washing conditions may be as low as 50° C. below the T_(m), allowing a high level of mis-matching between hybridized sequences. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other physical and chemical parameters in the hybridization and wash stages can also be altered to affect the outcome of a detectable hybridization signal from a specific level of homology between target and probe sequences. Preferred highly stringent conditions comprise incubation in 50% formamide, 5×SSC, and 1% SDS at 42° C., or incubation in 5×SSC and 1% SDS at 65° C., with wash in 0.2×SSC and 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

“Hybridization” refers to a reaction in which one or more polynucleotides react to form a complex that is stabilized via hydrogen bonding between the bases of the nucleotide residues. The hydrogen bonding may occur by Watson Crick base pairing, Hoogstein binding, or in any other sequence specific manner. The complex may comprise two strands forming a duplex structure, three or more strands forming a multi stranded complex, a single self-hybridizing strand, or any combination of these. A hybridization reaction may constitute a step in a more extensive process, such as the initiation of PCR, or the cleavage of a polynucleotide by an enzyme. A sequence capable of hybridizing with a given sequence is referred to as the “complement” of the given sequence.

As used herein, the term “genomic locus” or “locus” (plural loci) is the specific location of a gene or DNA sequence on a chromosome. A “gene” refers to stretches of DNA or RNA that encode a polypeptide or an RNA chain that has functional role to play in an organism and hence is the molecular unit of heredity in living organisms. For the purpose of this invention it may be considered that genes include regions which regulate the production of the gene product, whether or not such regulatory sequences are adjacent to coding and/or transcribed sequences. Accordingly, a gene includes, but is not necessarily limited to, promoter sequences, terminators, translational regulatory sequences such as ribosome binding sites and internal ribosome entry sites, enhancers, silencers, insulators, boundary elements, replication origins, matrix attachment sites and locus control regions.

As used herein, “expression of a genomic locus” or “gene expression” is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. The products of gene expression are often proteins, but in non-protein coding genes such as rRNA genes or tRNA genes, the product is functional RNA. The process of gene expression is used by all known life—eukaryotes (including multicellular organisms), prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) and viruses to generate functional products to survive. As used herein “expression” of a gene or nucleic acid encompasses not only cellular gene expression, but also the transcription and translation of nucleic acid(s) in cloning systems and in any other context. As used herein, “expression” also refers to the process by which a polynucleotide is transcribed from a DNA template (such as into and mRNA or other RNA transcript) and/or the process by which a transcribed mRNA is subsequently translated into peptides, polypeptides, or proteins. Transcripts and encoded polypeptides may be collectively referred to as “gene product.” If the polynucleotide is derived from genomic DNA, expression may include splicing of the mRNA in a eukaryotic cell.

The terms “polypeptide”, “peptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably herein to refer to polymers of amino acids of any length. The polymer may be linear or branched, it may comprise modified amino acids, and it may be interrupted by non amino acids. The terms also encompass an amino acid polymer that has been modified; for example, disulfide bond formation, glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, phosphorylation, or any other manipulation, such as conjugation with a labeling component. As used herein the term “amino acid” includes natural and/or unnatural or synthetic amino acids, including glycine and both the D or L optical isomers, and amino acid analogs and peptidomimetics.

As used herein, the term “domain” or “protein domain” refers to a part of a protein sequence that may exist and function independently of the rest of the protein chain.

As described in aspects of the invention, sequence identity is related to sequence homology. Homology comparisons may be conducted by eye, or more usually, with the aid of readily available sequence comparison programs. These commercially available computer programs may calculate percent (%) homology between two or more sequences and may also calculate the sequence identity shared by two or more amino acid or nucleic acid sequences. In some preferred embodiments, the capping region of the dTALEs described herein have sequences that are at least 95% identical or share identity to the capping region amino acid sequences provided herein.

Sequence homologies may be generated by any of a number of computer programs known in the art, for example BLAST or FASTA, etc. A suitable computer program for carrying out such an alignment is the GCG Wisconsin Bestfit package (University of Wisconsin, U.S.A; Devereux et al., 1984, Nucleic Acids Research 12:387). Examples of other software than may perform sequence comparisons include, but are not limited to, the BLAST package (see Ausubel et al., 1999 ibid—Chapter 18), FASTA (Atschul et al., 1990, J. Mol. Biol., 403-410) and the GENEWORKS suite of comparison tools. Both BLAST and FASTA are available for offline and online searching (see Ausubel et al., 1999 ibid, pages 7-58 to 7-60). However it is preferred to use the GCG Bestfit program.

Percentage (%) sequence homology may be calculated over contiguous sequences, i.e., one sequence is aligned with the other sequence and each amino acid or nucleotide in one sequence is directly compared with the corresponding amino acid or nucleotide in the other sequence, one residue at a time. This is called an “ungapped” alignment. Typically, such ungapped alignments are performed only over a relatively short number of residues.

Although this is a very simple and consistent method, it fails to take into consideration that, for example, in an otherwise identical pair of sequences, one insertion or deletion may cause the following amino acid residues to be put out of alignment, thus potentially resulting in a large reduction in % homology when a global alignment is performed. Consequently, most sequence comparison methods are designed to produce optimal alignments that take into consideration possible insertions and deletions without unduly penalizing the overall homology or identity score. This is achieved by inserting “gaps” in the sequence alignment to try to maximize local homology or identity.

However, these more complex methods assign “gap penalties” to each gap that occurs in the alignment so that, for the same number of identical amino acids, a sequence alignment with as few gaps as possible—reflecting higher relatedness between the two compared sequences—may achieve a higher score than one with many gaps. “Affinity gap costs” are typically used that charge a relatively high cost for the existence of a gap and a smaller penalty for each subsequent residue in the gap. This is the most commonly used gap scoring system. High gap penalties may, of course, produce optimized alignments with fewer gaps. Most alignment programs allow the gap penalties to be modified. However, it is preferred to use the default values when using such software for sequence comparisons. For example, when using the GCG Wisconsin Bestfit package the default gap penalty for amino acid sequences is −12 for a gap and −4 for each extension.

Calculation of maximum % homology therefore first requires the production of an optimal alignment, taking into consideration gap penalties. A suitable computer program for carrying out such an alignment is the GCG Wisconsin Bestfit package (Devereux et al., 1984 Nuc. Acids Research 12 p387). Examples of other software than may perform sequence comparisons include, but are not limited to, the BLAST package (see Ausubel et al., 1999 Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, 4^(th) Ed.—Chapter 18), FASTA (Altschul et al., 1990 J. Mol. Biol. 403-410) and the GENEWORKS suite of comparison tools. Both BLAST and FASTA are available for offline and online searching (see Ausubel et al., 1999, Short Protocols in Molecular Biology, pages 7-58 to 7-60). However, for some applications, it is preferred to use the GCG Bestfit program. A new tool, called BLAST 2 Sequences is also available for comparing protein and nucleotide sequences (see FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1999 174(2): 247-50; FEFS Microbiol Lett. 1999 177(1): 187-8 and the website of the National Center for Biotechnology information at the website of the National Institutes for Health).

Although the final % homology may be measured in terms of identity, the alignment process itself is typically not based on an all-or-nothing pair comparison. Instead, a scaled similarity score matrix is generally used that assigns scores to each pair-wise comparison based on chemical similarity or evolutionary distance. An example of such a matrix commonly used is the BLOSUM62 matrix—the default matrix for the BLAST suite of programs. GCG Wisconsin programs generally use either the public default values or a custom symbol comparison table, if supplied (see user manual for further details). For some applications, it is preferred to use the public default values for the GCG package, or in the case of other software, the default matrix, such as BLOSUM62.

Alternatively, percentage homologies may be calculated using the multiple alignment feature in DNASIS™ (Hitachi Software), based on an algorithm, analogous to CLUSTAL (Higgins D G & Sharp P M (1988), Gene 73(1), 237-244). Once the software has produced an optimal alignment, it is possible to calculate % homology, preferably % sequence identity. The software typically does this as part of the sequence comparison and generates a numerical result.

The sequences may also have deletions, insertions or substitutions of amino acid residues which produce a silent change and result in a functionally equivalent substance. Deliberate amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in amino acid properties (such as polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues) and it is therefore useful to group amino acids together in functional groups. Amino acids may be grouped together based on the properties of their side chains alone. However, it is more useful to include mutation data as well. The sets of amino acids thus derived are likely to be conserved for structural reasons. These sets may be described in the form of a Venn diagram (Livingstone C. D. and Barton G. J. (1993) “Protein sequence alignments: a strategy for the hierarchical analysis of residue conservation” Comput. Appl. Biosci. 9: 745-756) (Taylor W. R. (1986) “The classification of amino acid conservation” J. Theor. Biol. 119; 205-218). Conservative substitutions may be made, for example according to table 5 below which describes a generally accepted Venn diagram grouping of amino acids.

TABLE5 Set Sub-set Hydrophobic F W Y H K M I L Aromatic F W Y H V A G C Aliphatic I L V Polar W Y H K R E D C Charged H K R E D S S T N Q Positively H K R charged Negatively E D charged Small C A G S P T N D Tiny A G S

Embodiments of the invention include sequences (both polynucleotide or polypeptide) which may comprise homologous substitution (substitution and replacement are both used herein to mean the interchange of an existing amino acid residue or nucleotide, with an alternative residue or nucleotide) that may occur i.e., like-for-like substitution in the case of amino acids such as basic for basic, acidic for acidic, polar for polar, etc. Non-homologous substitution may also occur i.e., from one class of residue to another or alternatively involving the inclusion of unnatural amino acids such as ornithine (hereinafter referred to as Z), diaminobutyric acid ornithine (hereinafter referred to as B), norleucine ornithine (hereinafter referred to as O), pyriylalanine, thienylalanine, naphthylalanine and phenylglycine.

Variant amino acid sequences may include suitable spacer groups that may be inserted between any two amino acid residues of the sequence including alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl groups in addition to amino acid spacers such as glycine or O-alanine residues. A further form of variation, which involves the presence of one or more amino acid residues in peptoid form, may be well understood by those skilled in the art. For the avoidance of doubt, “the peptoid form” is used to refer to variant amino acid residues wherein the a-carbon substituent group is on the residue's nitrogen atom rather than the a-carbon. Processes for preparing peptides in the peptoid form are known in the art, for example Simon R J et al., PNAS (1992) 89(20), 9367-9371 and Horwell D C, Trends Biotechnol. (1995) 13(4), 132-134.

The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of immunology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, cell biology, genomics and recombinant DNA, which are within the skill of the art. See Sambrook, Fritsch and Maniatis, MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd edition (1989); CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel, et al. eds., (1987)); the series METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY (Academic Press, Inc.): PCR 2: A PRACTICAL APPROACH (M. J. MacPherson, B. D. Hames and G. R. Taylor eds. (1995)), Harlow and Lane, eds. (1988) ANTIBODIES, A LABORATORY MANUAL, and ANIMAL CELL CULTURE (R. I. Freshney, ed. (1987)).

Vectors

In one aspect, the invention provides for vectors that are used in the engineering and optimization of CRISPR-Cas systems.

A used herein, a “vector” is a tool that allows or facilitates the transfer of an entity from one environment to another. It is a replicon, such as a plasmid, phage, or cosmid, into which another DNA segment may be inserted so as to bring about the replication of the inserted segment. Generally, a vector is capable of replication when associated with the proper control elements. In general, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. Vectors include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid molecules that are single-stranded, double-stranded, or partially double-stranded; nucleic acid molecules that comprise one or more free ends, no free ends (e.g. circular); nucleic acid molecules that comprise DNA, RNA, or both; and other varieties of polynucleotides known in the art. One type of vector is a “plasmid,” which refers to a circular double stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be inserted, such as by standard molecular cloning techniques. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein virally-derived DNA or RNA sequences are present in the vector for packaging into a virus (e.g. retroviruses, replication defective retroviruses, adenoviruses, replication defective adenoviruses, and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs)). Viral vectors also include polynucleotides carried by a virus for transfection into a host cell. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g. bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) are integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors are capable of directing the expression of genes to which they are operatively-linked. Such vectors are referred to herein as “expression vectors.” Common expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids.

Recombinant expression vectors can comprise a nucleic acid of the invention in a form suitable for expression of the nucleic acid in a host cell, which means that the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory elements, which may be selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, that is operatively-linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. Within a recombinant expression vector, “operably linked” is intended to mean that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory element(s) in a manner that allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e.g. in an in vitro transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell). With regards to recombination and cloning methods, mention is made of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/815,730, published Sep. 2, 2004 as US 2004-0171156 A1, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Aspects of the invention relate to vectors for chimeric RNA and Cas9. Bicistronic expression vectors for chimeric RNA and Cas9 are preferred. In general and particularly in this embodiment Cas9 is preferably driven by the CBh promoter. The chimeric RNA may preferably be driven by a U6 promoter. Ideally the two are combined. The chimeric guide RNA typically consists of a 20 bp guide sequence (Ns) and this may be joined to the tracr sequence (running from the first “U” of the lower strand to the end of the transcript). The tracr sequence may be truncated at various positions as indicated. The guide and tracr sequences are separated by the tracr-mate sequence, which may be GUUUUAGAGCUA (SEQ ID NO: 63). This may be followed by the loop sequence GAAA as shown. Both of these are preferred examples. Applicants have demonstrated Cas9-mediated indels at the human EMX1 and PVALB loci by SURVEYOR assays. ChiRNAs are indicated by their “+n” designation, and crRNA refers to a hybrid RNA where guide and tracr sequences are expressed as separate transcripts. Throughout this application, chimeric RNA may also be called single guide, or synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA). The loop is preferably GAAA, but it is not limited to this sequence or indeed to being only 4 bp in length. Indeed, preferred loop forming sequences for use in hairpin structures are four nucleotides in length, and most preferably have the sequence GAAA. However, longer or shorter loop sequences may be used, as may alternative sequences. The sequences preferably include a nucleotide triplet (for example, AAA), and an additional nucleotide (for example C or G). Examples of loop forming sequences include CAAA and AAAG.

The term “regulatory element” is intended to include promoters, enhancers, internal ribosomal entry sites (IRES), and other expression control elements (e.g. transcription termination signals, such as polyadenylation signals and poly-U sequences). Such regulatory elements are described, for example, in Goeddel, GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Regulatory elements include those that direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cell and those that direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory sequences). A tissue-specific promoter may direct expression primarily in a desired tissue of interest, such as muscle, neuron, bone, skin, blood, specific organs (e.g. liver, pancreas), or particular cell types (e.g. lymphocytes). Regulatory elements may also direct expression in a temporal-dependent manner, such as in a cell-cycle dependent or developmental stage-dependent manner, which may or may not also be tissue or cell-type specific. In some embodiments, a vector comprises one or more pol III promoter (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more pol III promoters), one or more pol II promoters (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more pol II promoters), one or more pol I promoters (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more pol I promoters), or combinations thereof. Examples of pol III promoters include, but are not limited to, U6 and H1 promoters. Examples of pol II promoters include, but are not limited to, the retroviral Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) LTR promoter (optionally with the RSV enhancer), the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (optionally with the CMV enhancer) [see, e.g., Boshart et al, Cell, 41:521-530 (1985)], the SV40 promoter, the dihydrofolate reductase promoter, the β-actin promoter, the phosphoglycerol kinase (PGK) promoter, and the EF1α promoter. Also encompassed by the term “regulatory element” are enhancer elements, such as WPRE; CMV enhancers; the R-U5′ segment in LTR of HTLV-I (Mol. Cell. Biol., Vol. 8(1), p. 466-472, 1988); SV40 enhancer; and the intron sequence between exons 2 and 3 of rabbit β-globin (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., Vol. 78(3), p. 1527-31, 1981). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression desired, etc. A vector can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce transcripts, proteins, or peptides, including fusion proteins or peptides, encoded by nucleic acids as described herein (e.g., clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) transcripts, proteins, enzymes, mutant forms thereof, fusion proteins thereof, etc.). With regards to regulatory sequences, mention is made of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/491,026, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. With regards to promoters, mention is made of PCT publication WO 2011/028929 and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/511,940, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Vectors can be designed for expression of CRISPR transcripts (e.g. nucleic acid transcripts, proteins, or enzymes) in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. For example, CRISPR transcripts can be expressed in bacterial cells such as Escherichia coli, insect cells (using baculovirus expression vectors), yeast cells, or mammalian cells. Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990). Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

Vectors may be introduced and propagated in a prokaryote or prokaryotic cell. In some embodiments, a prokaryote is used to amplify copies of a vector to be introduced into a eukaryotic cell or as an intermediate vector in the production of a vector to be introduced into a eukaryotic cell (e.g. amplifying a plasmid as part of a viral vector packaging system). In some embodiments, a prokaryote is used to amplify copies of a vector and express one or more nucleic acids, such as to provide a source of one or more proteins for delivery to a host cell or host organism. Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in Escherichia coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, such as to the amino terminus of the recombinant protein. Such fusion vectors may serve one or more purposes, such as: (i) to increase expression of recombinant protein; (ii) to increase the solubility of the recombinant protein; and (iii) to aid in the purification of the recombinant protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification. Often, in fusion expression vectors, a proteolytic cleavage site is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein. Such enzymes, and their cognate recognition sequences, include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase. Example fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc; Smith and Johnson, 1988. Gene 67: 31-40), pMAL (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and pRIT5 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) that fuse glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose E binding protein, or protein A, respectively, to the target recombinant protein.

Examples of suitable inducible non-fusion E. coli expression vectors include pTrc (Amrann et al., (1988) Gene 69:301-315) and pET 11d (Studier et al., GENE EXPRESSION TECHNOLOGY: METHODS IN ENZYMOLOGY 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. (1990) 60-89).

In some embodiments, a vector is a yeast expression vector. Examples of vectors for expression in yeast Saccharomyces cerivisae include pYepSec1 (Baldari, et al., 1987. EMBO J. 6: 229-234), pMFa (Kuijan and Herskowitz, 1982. Cell 30: 933-943), pJRY88 (Schultz et al., 1987. Gene 54: 113-123), pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), and picZ (InVitrogen Corp, San Diego, Calif.).

In some embodiments, a vector drives protein expression in insect cells using baculovirus expression vectors. Baculovirus vectors available for expression of proteins in cultured insect cells (e.g., SF9 cells) include the pAc series (Smith, et al., 1983. Mol. Cell. Biol. 3: 2156-2165) and the pVL series (Lucklow and Summers, 1989. Virology 170: 31-39).

In some embodiments, a vector is capable of driving expression of one or more sequences in mammalian cells using a mammalian expression vector. Examples of mammalian expression vectors include pCDM8 (Seed, 1987. Nature 329: 840) and pMT2PC (Kaufman, et al., 1987. EMBO J. 6: 187-195). When used in mammalian cells, the expression vector's control functions are typically provided by one or more regulatory elements. For example, commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, adenovirus 2, cytomegalovirus, simian virus 40, and others disclosed herein and known in the art. For other suitable expression systems for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells see, e.g., Chapters 16 and 17 of Sambrook, et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL. 2nd ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989.

In some embodiments, the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid). Tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific; Pinkert, et al., 1987. Genes Dev. 1: 268-277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton, 1988. Adv. Immunol. 43: 235-275), in particular promoters of T cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore, 1989. FMBO J. 8: 729-733) and immunoglobulins (Baneiji, et al., 1983. Cell 33: 729-740; Queen and Baltimore, 1983. Cell 33: 741-748), neuron-specific promoters (e.g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle, 1989. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 5473-5477), pancreas-specific promoters (Edlund, et al., 1985. Science 230: 912-916), and mammary gland-specific promoters (e.g., milk whey promoter; U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. 264,166). Developmentally-regulated promoters are also encompassed, e.g., the murine hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss, 1990. Science 249: 374-379) and the α-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman, 1989. Genes Dev. 3: 537-546). With regards to these prokaryotic and eukaryotic vectors, mention is made of U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,059, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Other embodiments of the invention may relate to the use of viral vectors, with regards to which mention is made of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/092,085, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art and in this regard, mention is made of U.S. Pat. No. 7,776,321, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Regulatory Elements

In some embodiments, a regulatory element is operably linked to one or more elements of a CRISPR system so as to drive expression of the one or more elements of the CRISPR system. In general, CRISPRs (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), also known as SPIDRs (SPacer Interspersed Direct Repeats), constitute a family of DNA loci that are usually specific to a particular bacterial species. The CRISPR locus comprises a distinct class of interspersed short sequence repeats (SSRs) that were recognized in E. coli (Ishino et al., J. Bacteriol., 169:5429-5433 [1987]; and Nakata et al., J. Bacteriol., 171:3553-3556 [1989]), and associated genes. Similar interspersed SSRs have been identified in Haloferax mediterranei, Streptococcus pyogenes, Anabaena, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (See, Groenen et al., Mol. Microbiol., 10:1057-1065 [1993]; Hoe et al., Emerg. Infect. Dis., 5:254-263 [1999]; Masepohl et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1307:26-30 [1996]; and Mojica et al., Mol. Microbiol., 17:85-93 [1995]). The CRISPR loci typically differ from other SSRs by the structure of the repeats, which have been termed short regularly spaced repeats (SRSRs) (Janssen et al., OMICS J. Integ. Biol., 6:23-33 [2002]; and Mojica et al., Mol. Microbiol., 36:244-246 [2000]). In general, the repeats are short elements that occur in clusters that are regularly spaced by unique intervening sequences with a substantially constant length (Mojica et al., [2000], supra). Although the repeat sequences are highly conserved between strains, the number of interspersed repeats and the sequences of the spacer regions typically differ from strain to strain (van Embden et al., J. Bacteriol., 182:2393-2401 [2000]). CRISPR loci have been identified in more than 40 prokaryotes (See e.g., Jansen et al., Mol. Microbiol., 43:1565-1575 [2002]; and Mojica et al., [2005]) including, but not limited to Aeropyrum, Pyrobaculum, Sulfolobus, Archaeoglobus, Halocarcula, Methanobacterium, Methanococcus, Methanosarcina, Methanopyrus, Pyrococcus, Picrophilus, Thermoplasma, Corynebacterium, Mycobacterium, Streptomyces, Aquifex, Porphyromonas, Chlorobium, Thermus, Bacillus, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Clostridium, Thermoanaerobacter, Mycoplasma, Fusobacterium, Azarcus, Chromobacterium, Neisseria, Nitrosomonas, Desulfovibrio, Geobacter, Myxococcus, Campylobacter, Wolinella, Acinetobacter, Erwinia, Escherichia, Legionella, Methylococcus, Pasteurella, Photobacterium, Salmonella, Xanthomonas, Yersinia, Treponema, and Thermotoga.

In general, “CRISPR system” refers collectively to transcripts and other elements involved in the expression of or directing the activity of CRISPR-associated (“Cas”) genes, including sequences encoding a Cas gene, a tracr (trans-activating CRISPR) sequence (e.g. tracrRNA or an active partial tracrRNA), a tracr-mate sequence (encompassing a “direct repeat” and a tracrRNA-processed partial direct repeat in the context of an endogenous CRISPR system), a guide sequence (also referred to as a “spacer” in the context of an endogenous CRISPR system), or other sequences and transcripts from a CRISPR locus. In embodiments of the invention the terms guide sequence and guide RNA are used interchangeably. In some embodiments, one or more elements of a CRISPR system is derived from a type I, type II, or type III CRISPR system. In some embodiments, one or more elements of a CRISPR system is derived from a particular organism comprising an endogenous CRISPR system, such as Streptococcus pyogenes. In general, a CRISPR system is characterized by elements that promote the formation of a CRISPR complex at the site of a target sequence (also referred to as a protospacer in the context of an endogenous CRISPR system). In the context of formation of a CRISPR complex, “target sequence” refers to a sequence to which a guide sequence is designed to have complementarity, where hybridization between a target sequence and a guide sequence promotes the formation of a CRISPR complex. A target sequence may comprise any polynucleotide, such as DNA or RNA polynucleotides. In some embodiments, a target sequence is located in the nucleus or cytoplasm of a cell.

In some embodiments, direct repeats may be identified in silico by searching for repetitive motifs that fulfill any or all of the following criteria:

1. found in a 2 Kb window of genomic sequence flanking the type II CRISPR locus;

2. span from 20 to 50 bp; and

3. interspaced by 20 to 50 bp.

In some embodiments, 2 of these criteria may be used, for instance 1 and 2, 2 and 3, or 1 and 3. In some embodiments, all 3 criteria may be used.

In some embodiments, candidate tracrRNA may be subsequently predicted by sequences that fulfill any or all of the following criteria:

1. sequence homology to direct repeats (motif search in Geneious with up to 18-bp mismatches);

2. presence of a predicted Rho-independent transcriptional terminator in direction of transcription; and

3. stable hairpin secondary structure between tracrRNA and direct repeat.

In some embodiments, 2 of these criteria may be used, for instance 1 and 2, 2 and 3, or 1 and 3. In some embodiments, all 3 criteria may be used.

In some embodiments, chimeric synthetic guide RNAs (sgRNAs) designs may incorporate at least 12 bp of duplex structure between the direct repeat and tracrRNA.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the CRISPR system is a type II CRISPR system and the Cas enzyme is Cas9, which catalyzes DNA cleavage. Enzymatic action by Cas9 derived from Streptococcus pyogenes or any closely related Cas9 generates double stranded breaks at target site sequences which hybridize to 20 nucleotides of the guide sequence and that have a protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) sequence (examples include NGG/NRG or a PAM that can be determined as described herein) following the 20 nucleotides of the target sequence. CRISPR activity through Cas9 for site-specific DNA recognition and cleavage is defined by the guide sequence, the tracr sequence that hybridizes in part to the guide sequence and the PAM sequence. More aspects of the CRISPR system are described in Karginov and Hannon, The CRISPR system: small RNA-guided defence in bacteria and archaea, Mole Cell 2010, January 15; 37(1): 7.

The type II CRISPR locus from Streptococcus pyogenes SF370, which contains a cluster of four genes Cas9, Cas1, Cas2, and Csn1, as well as two non-coding RNA elements, tracrRNA and a characteristic array of repetitive sequences (direct repeats) interspaced by short stretches of non-repetitive sequences (spacers, about 30 bp each). In this system, targeted DNA double-strand break (DSB) is generated in four sequential steps (FIG. 2A). First, two non-coding RNAs, the pre-crRNA array and tracrRNA, are transcribed from the CRISPR locus. Second, tracrRNA hybridizes to the direct repeats of pre-crRNA, which is then processed into mature crRNAs containing individual spacer sequences. Third, the mature crRNA:tracrRNA complex directs Cas9 to the DNA target consisting of the protospacer and the corresponding PAM via heteroduplex formation between the spacer region of the crRNA and the protospacer DNA. Finally, Cas9 mediates cleavage of target DNA upstream of PAM to create a DSB within the protospacer (FIG. 2A). FIG. 2B demonstrates the nuclear localization of the codon optimized Cas9. To promote precise transcriptional initiation, the RNA polymerase III-based U6 promoter was selected to drive the expression of tracrRNA (FIG. 2C). Similarly, a U6 promoter-based construct was developed to express a pre-crRNA array consisting of a single spacer flanked by two direct repeats (DRs, also encompassed by the term “tracr-mate sequences”; FIG. 2C). The initial spacer was designed to target a 33-base-pair (bp) target site (30-bp protospacer plus a 3-bp CRISPR motif (PAM) sequence satisfying the NGG recognition motif of Cas9) in the human EMX1 locus (FIG. 2C), a key gene in the development of the cerebral cortex.

Typically, in the context of an endogenous CRISPR system, formation of a CRISPR complex (comprising a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence and complexed with one or more Cas proteins) results in cleavage of one or both strands in or near (e.g. within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, or more base pairs from) the target sequence. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the tracr sequence, which may comprise or consist of all or a portion of a wild-type tracr sequence (e.g. about or more than about 20, 26, 32, 45, 48, 54, 63, 67, 85, or more nucleotides of a wild-type tracr sequence), may also form part of a CRISPR complex, such as by hybridization along at least a portion of the tracr sequence to all or a portion of a tracr mate sequence that is operably linked to the guide sequence. In some embodiments, one or more vectors driving expression of one or more elements of a CRISPR system are introduced into a host cell such that expression of the elements of the CRISPR system direct formation of a CRISPR complex at one or more target sites. For example, a Cas enzyme, a guide sequence linked to a tracr-mate sequence, and a tracr sequence could each be operably linked to separate regulatory elements on separate vectors. Alternatively, two or more of the elements expressed from the same or different regulatory elements, may be combined in a single vector, with one or more additional vectors providing any components of the CRISPR system not included in the first vector. CRISPR system elements that are combined in a single vector may be arranged in any suitable orientation, such as one element located 5′ with respect to (“upstream” of) or 3′ with respect to (“downstream” of) a second element. The coding sequence of one element may be located on the same or opposite strand of the coding sequence of a second element, and oriented in the same or opposite direction. In some embodiments, a single promoter drives expression of a transcript encoding a CRISPR enzyme and one or more of the guide sequence, tracr mate sequence (optionally operably linked to the guide sequence), and a tracr sequence embedded within one or more intron sequences (e.g. each in a different intron, two or more in at least one intron, or all in a single intron). In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme, guide sequence, tracr mate sequence, and tracr sequence are operably linked to and expressed from the same promoter.

In some embodiments, a vector comprises one or more insertion sites, such as a restriction endonuclease recognition sequence (also referred to as a “cloning site”). In some embodiments, one or more insertion sites (e.g. about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more insertion sites) are located upstream and/or downstream of one or more sequence elements of one or more vectors. In some embodiments, a vector comprises an insertion site upstream of a tracr mate sequence, and optionally downstream of a regulatory element operably linked to the tracr mate sequence, such that following insertion of a guide sequence into the insertion site and upon expression the guide sequence directs sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence in a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, a vector comprises two or more insertion sites, each insertion site being located between two tracr mate sequences so as to allow insertion of a guide sequence at each site. In such an arrangement, the two or more guide sequences may comprise two or more copies of a single guide sequence, two or more different guide sequences, or combinations of these. When multiple different guide sequences are used, a single expression construct may be used to target CRISPR activity to multiple different, corresponding target sequences within a cell. For example, a single vector may comprise about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, or more guide sequences. In some embodiments, about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more such guide-sequence-containing vectors may be provided, and optionally delivered to a cell.

In some embodiments, a vector comprises a regulatory element operably linked to an enzyme-coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme, such as a Cas protein. Non-limiting examples of Cas proteins include Cas1, Cas1B, Cas2, Cas3, Cas4, Cas5, Cas6, Cas7, Cas8, Cas9 (also known as Csn1 and Csxl2), Cas10, Csy1, Csy2, Csy3, Cse1, Cse2, Csc1, Csc2, Csa5, Csn2, Csm2, Csm3, Csm4, Csm5, Csm6, Cmr1, Cmr3, Cmr4, Cmr5, Cmr6, Csb1, Csb2, Csb3, Csx17, Csx14, Csx10, Csx16, CsaX, Csx3, Csx1, Csx15, Csf1, Csf2, Csf3, Csf4, homologues thereof, or modified versions thereof. In some embodiments, the unmodified CRISPR enzyme has DNA cleavage activity, such as Cas9. In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme directs cleavage of one or both strands at the location of a target sequence, such as within the target sequence and/or within the complement of the target sequence. In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme directs cleavage of one or both strands within about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, or more base pairs from the first or last nucleotide of a target sequence. In some embodiments, a vector encodes a CRISPR enzyme that is mutated to with respect to a corresponding wild-type enzyme such that the mutated CRISPR enzyme lacks the ability to cleave one or both strands of a target polynucleotide containing a target sequence. For example, an aspartate-to-alanine substitution (D10A) in the RuvC I catalytic domain of Cas9 from S. pyogenes converts Cas9 from a nuclease that cleaves both strands to a nickase (cleaves a single strand). Other examples of mutations that render Cas9 a nickase include, without limitation, H840A, N854A, and N863A. As a further example, two or more catalytic domains of Cas9 (RuvC I, RuvC II, and RuvC III or the HNH domain) may be mutated to produce a mutated Cas9 substantially lacking all DNA cleavage activity. In some embodiments, a D10A mutation is combined with one or more of H840A, N854A, or N863A mutations to produce a Cas9 enzyme substantially lacking all DNA cleavage activity. In some embodiments, a CRISPR enzyme is considered to substantially lack all DNA cleavage activity when the DNA cleavage activity of the mutated enzyme is less than about 25%, 10%, 5%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, or lower with respect to its non-mutated form. Where the enzyme is not SpCas9, mutations may be made at any or all residues corresponding to positions 10, 762, 840, 854, 863 and/or 986 of SpCas9 (which may be ascertained for instance by standard sequence comparison tools. In particular, any or all of the following mutations are preferred in SpCas9: D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A and/or D986A; as well as conservative substitution for any of the replacement amino acids is also envisaged. The same (or conservative substitutions of these mutations) at corresponding positions in other Cas9s are also preferred. Particularly preferred are D10 and H840 in SpCas9. However, in other Cas9s, residues corresponding to SpCas9 D10 and H840 are also preferred.

An aspartate-to-alanine substitution (D10A) in the RuvC I catalytic domain of SpCas9 was engineered to convert the nuclease into a nickase (SpCas9n) (see e.g. Sapranauskas et al., 2011, Nucleic Acis Research, 39: 9275; Gasiunas et al., 2012, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 109:E2579), such that nicked genomic DNA undergoes the high-fidelity homology-directed repair (HDR). Surveyor assay confirmed that SpCas9n does not generate indels at the EMX1 protospacer target. Co-expression of EMX1-targeting chimeric crRNA (having the tracrRNA component as well) with SpCas9 produced indels in the target site, whereas co-expression with SpCas9n did not (n=3). Moreover, sequencing of 327 amplicons did not detect any indels induced by SpCas9n. The same locus was selected to test CRISPR-mediated HR by co-transfecting HEK 293FT cells with the chimeric RNA targeting EMX1, hSpCas9 or hSpCas9n, as well as a HR template to introduce a pair of restriction sites (HindIII and NheI) near the protospacer.

Preferred orthologs are described herein. A Cas enzyme may be identified Cas9 as this can refer to the general class of enzymes that share homology to the biggest nuclease with multiple nuclease domains from the type II CRISPR system. Most preferably, the Cas9 enzyme is from, or is derived from, spCas9 or saCas9. By derived, Applicants mean that the derived enzyme is largely based, in the sense of having a high degree of sequence homology with, a wildtype enzyme, but that it has been mutated (modified) in some way as described herein.

It will be appreciated that the terms Cas and CRISPR enzyme are generally used herein interchangeably, unless otherwise apparent. As mentioned above, many of the residue numberings used herein refer to the Cas9 enzyme from the type II CRISPR locus in Streptococcus pyogenes. However, it will be appreciated that this invention includes many more Cas9s from other species of microbes, such as SpCas9, SaCa9, StlCas9 and so forth.

Codon Optimization

An example of a codon optimized sequence, in this instance optimized for humans (i.e. being optimized for expression in humans) is provided herein, see the SaCas9 human codon optimized sequence. Whilst this is preferred, it will be appreciated that other examples are possible and codon optimization for a host species is known.

In some embodiments, an enzyme coding sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme is codon optimized for expression in particular cells, such as eukaryotic cells. The eukaryotic cells may be those of or derived from a particular organism, such as a mammal, including but not limited to human, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, or non-human mammal or primate. In some embodiments, processes for modifying the germ line genetic identity of human beings and/or processes for modifying the genetic identity of animals which are likely to cause them suffering without any substantial medical benefit to man or animal, and also animals resulting from such processes, may be excluded.

In general, codon optimization refers to a process of modifying a nucleic acid sequence for enhanced expression in the host cells of interest by replacing at least one codon (e.g. about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or more codons) of the native sequence with codons that are more frequently or most frequently used in the genes of that host cell while maintaining the native amino acid sequence. Various species exhibit particular bias for certain codons of a particular amino acid. Codon bias (differences in codon usage between organisms) often correlates with the efficiency of translation of messenger RNA (mRNA), which is in turn believed to be dependent on, among other things, the properties of the codons being translated and the availability of particular transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules. The predominance of selected tRNAs in a cell is generally a reflection of the codons used most frequently in peptide synthesis. Accordingly, genes can be tailored for optimal gene expression in a given organism based on codon optimization. Codon usage tables are readily available, for example, at the “Codon Usage Database” available at kazusa.orjp/codon/ (visited Jul. 9, 2002), and these tables can be adapted in a number of ways. See Nakamura, Y., et al. “Codon usage tabulated from the international DNA sequence databases: status for the year 2000” Nucl. Acids Res. 28:292 (2000). Computer algorithms for codon optimizing a particular sequence for expression in a particular host cell are also available, such as Gene Forge (Aptagen; Jacobus, Pa.), are also available. In some embodiments, one or more codons (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, or more, or all codons) in a sequence encoding a CRISPR enzyme correspond to the most frequently used codon for a particular amino acid.

Nuclear Localization Sequences (NLSs)

In some embodiments, a vector encodes a CRISPR enzyme comprising one or more nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), such as about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more NLSs. In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme comprises about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more NLSs at or near the amino-terminus, about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more NLSs at or near the carboxy-terminus, or a combination of these (e.g. one or more NLS at the amino-terminus and one or more NLS at the carboxy terminus). When more than one NLS is present, each may be selected independently of the others, such that a single NLS may be present in more than one copy and/or in combination with one or more other NLSs present in one or more copies. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the CRISPR enzyme comprises at most 6 NLSs. In some embodiments, an NLS is considered near the N- or C-terminus when the nearest amino acid of the NLS is within about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or more amino acids along the polypeptide chain from the N- or C-terminus. Non-limiting examples of NLSs include an NLS sequence derived from: the NLS of the SV40 virus large T-antigen, having the amino acid sequence PKKKRKV (SEQ ID NO: 64); the NLS from nucleoplasmin (e.g. the nucleoplasmin bipartite NLS with the sequence KRPAATKKAGQAKKKK (SEQ ID NO: 65)); the c-myc NLS having the amino acid sequence PAAKRVKLD (SEQ ID NO: 66) or RQRRNELKRSP (SEQ ID NO: 67); the hRNPAI M9 NLS having the sequence NQSSNFGPMKGGNFGGRSSGPYGGGGQYFAKPRNQGGY (SEQ ID NO: 68); the sequence RMRIZFKNKGKDTAELRRRRVEVSVELRKAKKDEQILKRRNV (SEQ ID NO: 69) of the IBB domain from importin-alpha; the sequences VSRKRPRP (SEQ ID NO: 70) and PPKKARED (SEQ ID NO: 71) of the myoma T protein; the sequence PQPKKKPL (SEQ ID NO: 72) of human p53; the sequence SALIKKKKKMAP (SEQ ID NO: 73) of mouse c-abl IV; the sequences DRLRR (SEQ ID NO: 74) and PKQKKRK (SEQ ID NO: 75) of the influenza virus NS1; the sequence RKLKKKIKKL (SEQ ID NO: 76) of the Hepatitis virus delta antigen; the sequence REKKKFLKRR (SEQ ID NO: 77) of the mouse Mx1 protein; the sequence KRKGDEVDGVDEVAKKKSKK (SEQ ID NO: 78) of the human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase; and the sequence RKCLQAGMNLEARKTKK (SEQ ID NO: 79) of the steroid hormone receptors (human) glucocorticoid.

In general, the one or more NLSs are of sufficient strength to drive accumulation of the CRISPR enzyme in a detectable amount in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. In general, strength of nuclear localization activity may derive from the number of NLSs in the CRISPR enzyme, the particular NLS(s) used, or a combination of these factors. Detection of accumulation in the nucleus may be performed by any suitable technique. For example, a detectable marker may be fused to the CRISPR enzyme, such that location within a cell may be visualized, such as in combination with a means for detecting the location of the nucleus (e.g. a stain specific for the nucleus such as DAPI). Cell nuclei may also be isolated from cells, the contents of which may then be analyzed by any suitable process for detecting protein, such as immunohistochemistry, Western blot, or enzyme activity assay. Accumulation in the nucleus may also be determined indirectly, such as by an assay for the effect of CRISPR complex formation (e.g. assay for DNA cleavage or mutation at the target sequence, or assay for altered gene expression activity affected by CRISPR complex formation and/or CRISPR enzyme activity), as compared to a control no exposed to the CRISPR enzyme or complex, or exposed to a CRISPR enzyme lacking the one or more NLSs.

Guide Sequence

Particularly preferred guides are in the range of 20-22 ntds, as described herein and see Example 40.

In general, a guide sequence is any polynucleotide sequence having sufficient complementarity with a target polynucleotide sequence to hybridize with the target sequence and direct sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to the target sequence. In some embodiments, the degree of complementarity between a guide sequence and its corresponding target sequence, when optimally aligned using a suitable alignment algorithm, is about or more than about 50%, 60%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or more. Optimal alignment may be determined with the use of any suitable algorithm for aligning sequences, non-limiting example of which include the Smith-Waterman algorithm, the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm, algorithms based on the Burrows-Wheeler Transform (e.g. the Burrows Wheeler Aligner), ClustalW, Clustal X, BLAT, Novoalign (Novocraft Technologies; available at novocraft.com), ELAND (Illumina, San Diego, Calif.), SOAP (available at soap.genomics.org.cn), and Maq (available at maq.sourceforge.net). In some embodiments, a guide sequence is about or more than about 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, or more nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a guide sequence is less than about 75, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 12, or fewer nucleotides in length. The ability of a guide sequence to direct sequence-specific binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence may be assessed by any suitable assay. For example, the components of a CRISPR system sufficient to form a CRISPR complex, including the guide sequence to be tested, may be provided to a host cell having the corresponding target sequence, such as by transfection with vectors encoding the components of the CRISPR sequence, followed by an assessment of preferential cleavage within the target sequence, such as by Surveyor assay as described herein. Similarly, cleavage of a target polynucleotide sequence may be evaluated in a test tube by providing the target sequence, components of a CRISPR complex, including the guide sequence to be tested and a control guide sequence different from the test guide sequence, and comparing binding or rate of cleavage at the target sequence between the test and control guide sequence reactions. Other assays are possible, and will occur to those skilled in the art.

A guide sequence may be selected to target any target sequence. In some embodiments, the target sequence is a sequence within a genome of a cell. Exemplary target sequences include those that are unique in the target genome. For example, for the S. pyogenes Cas9, a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNXGG where NNNNNNNNNNNNXGG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be anything) has a single occurrence in the genome. A unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. pyogenes Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNXGG where NNNNNNNNNNNXGG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be anything) has a single occurrence in the genome. For the S. thermophilus CRISPR1 Cas9, a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 80) where NNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 81) (N is A, G, T, or C; X can be anything; and W is A or T) has a single occurrence in the genome. A unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. thermophilus CRISPR1 Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 82) where NNNNNNNNNNNXXAGAAW (SEQ ID NO: 83) (N is A, G, T, or C; X can be anything; and W is A or T) has a single occurrence in the genome. For the S. pyogenes Cas9, a unique target sequence in a genome may include a Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNNXGGXG where NNNNNNNNNNNNXGGXG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be anything) has a single occurrence in the genome. A unique target sequence in a genome may include an S. pyogenes Cas9 target site of the form MMMMMMMMNNNNNNNNNNNXGGXG where NNNNNNNNNNNXGGXG (N is A, G, T, or C; and X can be anything) has a single occurrence in the genome. In each of these sequences “M” may be A, G, T, or C, and need not be considered in identifying a sequence as unique.

In some embodiments, a guide sequence is selected to reduce the degree secondary structure within the guide sequence. In some embodiments, about or less than about 75%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 1%, or fewer of the nucleotides of the guide sequence participate in self-complementary base pairing when optimally folded. Optimal folding may be determined by any suitable polynucleotide folding algorithm. Some programs are based on calculating the minimal Gibbs free energy. An example of one such algorithm is mFold, as described by Zuker and Stiegler (Nucleic Acids Res. 9 (1981), 133-148). Another example folding algorithm is the online webserver RNAfold, developed at Institute for Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Vienna, using the centroid structure prediction algorithm (see e.g. A. R. Gruber et al., 2008, Cell 106(1): 23-24; and P A Carr and G M Church, 2009, Nature Biotechnology 27(12): 1151-62).

Tracr Mate Sequence

In general, a tracr mate sequence includes any sequence that has sufficient complementarity with a tracr sequence to promote one or more of: (1) excision of a guide sequence flanked by tracr mate sequences in a cell containing the corresponding tracr sequence; and (2) formation of a CRISPR complex at a target sequence, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises the tracr mate sequence hybridized to the tracr sequence. In general, degree of complementarity is with reference to the optimal alignment of the tracr mate sequence and tracr sequence, along the length of the shorter of the two sequences. Optimal alignment may be determined by any suitable alignment algorithm, and may further account for secondary structures, such as self-complementarity within either the tracr sequence or tracr mate sequence. In some embodiments, the degree of complementarity between the tracr sequence and tracr mate sequence along the length of the shorter of the two when optimally aligned is about or more than about 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 97.5%, 99%, or higher. In some embodiments, the tracr sequence is about or more than about 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or more nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the tracr sequence and tracr mate sequence are contained within a single transcript, such that hybridization between the two produces a transcript having a secondary structure, such as a hairpin. In an embodiment of the invention, the transcript or transcribed polynucleotide sequence has at least two or more hairpins. In preferred embodiments, the transcript has two, three, four or five hairpins. In a further embodiment of the invention, the transcript has at most five hairpins. In a hairpin structure the portion of the sequence 5′ of the final “N” and upstream of the loop corresponds to the tracr mate sequence, and the portion of the sequence 3′ of the loop corresponds to the tracr sequence Further non-limiting examples of single polynucleotides comprising a guide sequence, a tracr mate sequence, and a tracr sequence are as follows (listed 5′ to 3′), where “N” represents a base of a guide sequence, the first block of lower case letters represent the tracr mate sequence, and the second block of lower case letters represent the tracr sequence, and the final poly-T sequence represents the transcription terminator: (1) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgtttttgtactctcaagatttaGAAAtaaatcttgcagaagctacaaagataa ggcttcatgccgaaatcaacaccctgtcattttatggcagggtgttttcgttatttaaTT1T (SEQ ID NO: 84); (2) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgtttttgtactctcaGAAAtgcagaagctacaaagataaggcttcatgccg aaatcaacaccctgtcattttatggcagggtgttttcgttamaaTTT1T (SEQ ID NO: 85); (3) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgtttttgtactctcaGAAAtgcagaagctacaaagataaggcttcatgccg aaatcaacaccctgtcattttatggcagggtgtTTTTT (SEQ ID NO: 86); (4) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgttttagagctaGAAAtagcaagttaaaataaggctagtccgttatcaactt gaaaaagtggcaccgagtcggtgcTTTT (SEQ ID NO: 87); (5) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgttttagagctaGAAATAGcaagttaaaataaggetagtecgttatcaac ttgaaaaagtgTIT1TT (SEQ ID NO: 88); and (6) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgttttagagctagAAATAGcaagttaaaataaggctagtccgttatcaTT TTTTTT (SEQ ID NO: 89). In some embodiments, sequences (1) to (3) are used in combination with Cas9 from S. thermophilus CRISPR1. In some embodiments, sequences (4) to (6) are used in combination with Cas9 from S. pyogenes. In some embodiments, the tracr sequence is a separate transcript from a transcript comprising the tracr mate sequence.

Recombination Template

In some embodiments, a recombination template is also provided. A recombination template may be a component of another vector as described herein, contained in a separate vector, or provided as a separate polynucleotide. In some embodiments, a recombination template is designed to serve as a template in homologous recombination, such as within or near a target sequence nicked or cleaved by a CRISPR enzyme as a part of a CRISPR complex. A template polynucleotide may be of any suitable length, such as about or more than about 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 500, 1000, or more nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the template polynucleotide is complementary to a portion of a polynucleotide comprising the target sequence. When optimally aligned, a template polynucleotide might overlap with one or more nucleotides of a target sequences (e.g. about or more than about 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or more nucleotides). In some embodiments, when a template sequence and a polynucleotide comprising a target sequence are optimally aligned, the nearest nucleotide of the template polynucleotide is within about 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, or more nucleotides from the target sequence.

Fusion Protein

In some embodiments, the CRISPR enzyme is part of a fusion protein comprising one or more heterologous protein domains (e.g. about or more than about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more domains in addition to the CRISPR enzyme). A CRISPR enzyme fusion protein may comprise any additional protein sequence, and optionally a linker sequence between any two domains. Examples of protein domains that may be fused to a CRISPR enzyme include, without limitation, epitope tags, reporter gene sequences, and protein domains having one or more of the following activities: methylase activity, demethylase activity, transcription activation activity, transcription repression activity, transcription release factor activity, histone modification activity, RNA cleavage activity and nucleic acid binding activity. Non-limiting examples of epitope tags include histidine (His) tags, V5 tags, FLAG tags, influenza hemagglutinin (HA) tags, Myc tags, VSV-G tags, and thioredoxin (Trx) tags. Examples of reporter genes include, but are not limited to, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), HcRed, DsRed, cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), and autofluorescent proteins including blue fluorescent protein (BFP). A CRISPR enzyme may be fused to a gene sequence encoding a protein or a fragment of a protein that bind DNA molecules or bind other cellular molecules, including but not limited to maltose binding protein (MBP), S-tag, Lex A DNA binding domain (DBD) fusions, GAL4 DNA binding domain fusions, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) BP16 protein fusions. Additional domains that may form part of a fusion protein comprising a CRISPR enzyme are described in US20110059502, incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, a tagged CRISPR enzyme is used to identify the location of a target sequence.

Inducible System

In some embodiments, a CRISPR enzyme may form a component of an inducible system. The inducible nature of the system would allow for spatiotemporal control of gene editing or gene expression using a form of energy. The form of energy may include but is not limited to electromagnetic radiation, sound energy, chemical energy and thermal energy. Examples of inducible system include tetracycline inducible promoters (Tet-On or Tet-Off), small molecule two-hybrid transcription activations systems (FKBP, ABA, etc), or light inducible systems (Phytochrome, LOV domains, or cryptochrome). In one embodiment, the CRISPR enzyme may be a part of a Light Inducible Transcriptional Effector (LITE) to direct changes in transcriptional activity in a sequence-specific manner. The components of a light may include a CRISPR enzyme, a light-responsive cytochrome heterodimer (e.g. from Arabidopsis thaliana), and a transcriptional activation/repression domain. Further examples of inducible DNA binding proteins and methods for their use are provided in U.S. 61/736,465 and U.S. 61/721,283, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Delivery

In some aspects, the invention provides methods comprising delivering one or more polynucleotides, such as or one or more vectors as described herein, one or more transcripts thereof, and/or one or proteins transcribed therefrom, to a host cell. In some aspects, the invention further provides cells produced by such methods, and animals comprising or produced from such cells. In some embodiments, a CRISPR enzyme in combination with (and optionally complexed with) a guide sequence is delivered to a cell. Conventional viral and non-viral based gene transfer methods can be used to introduce nucleic acids in mammalian cells or target tissues. Such methods can be used to administer nucleic acids encoding components of a CRISPR system to cells in culture, or in a host organism. Non-viral vector delivery systems include DNA plasmids, RNA (e.g. a transcript of a vector described herein), naked nucleic acid, and nucleic acid complexed with a delivery vehicle, such as a liposome. Viral vector delivery systems include DNA and RNA viruses, which have either episomal or integrated genomes after delivery to the cell. For a review of gene therapy procedures, see Anderson, Science 256:808-813 (1992); Nabel & Felgner, TIBTECH 11:211-217 (1993); Mitani & Caskey, TIBTECH 11:162-166 (1993); Dillon, TIBTECH 11:167-175 (1993); Miller, Nature 357:455-460 (1992); Van Brunt, Biotechnology 6(10):1149-1154 (1988); Vigne, Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience 8:35-36 (1995); Kremer & Perricaudet, British Medical Bulletin 51(1):31-44 (1995); Haddada et al., in Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology Doerfler and Bohm (eds) (1995); and Yu et al., Gene Therapy 1:13-26 (1994).

Methods of non-viral delivery of nucleic acids include lipofection, microinjection, biolistics, virosomes, liposomes, immunoliposomes, polycation or lipid:nucleic acid conjugates, naked DNA, artificial virions, and agent-enhanced uptake of DNA. Lipofection is described in e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,049,386, 4,946,787; and 4,897,355) and lipofection reagents are sold commercially (e.g., Transfectam™ and Lipofectin™). Cationic and neutral lipids that are suitable for efficient receptor-recognition lipofection of polynucleotides include those of Felgner, WO 91/17424; WO 91/16024. Delivery can be to cells (e.g. in vitro or ex vivo administration) or target tissues (e.g. in vivo administration).

The preparation of lipid:nucleic acid complexes, including targeted liposomes such as immunolipid complexes, is well known to one of skill in the art (see, e.g., Crystal, Science 270:404-410 (1995); Blaese et al., Cancer Gene Ther. 2:291-297 (1995); Behr et al., Bioconjugate Chem. 5:382-389 (1994); Remy et al., Bioconjugate Chem. 5:647-654 (1994); Gao et al., Gene Therapy 2:710-722 (1995); Ahmad et al., Cancer Res. 52:4817-4820 (1992); U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,186,183, 4,217,344, 4,235,871, 4,261,975, 4,485,054, 4,501,728, 4,774,085, 4,837,028, and 4,946,787).

The use of RNA or DNA viral based systems for the delivery of nucleic acids take advantage of highly evolved processes for targeting a virus to specific cells in the body and trafficking the viral payload to the nucleus. Viral vectors can be administered directly to patients (in vivo) or they can be used to treat cells in vitro, and the modified cells may optionally be administered to patients (ex vivo). Conventional viral based systems could include retroviral, lentivirus, adenoviral, adeno-associated and herpes simplex virus vectors for gene transfer. Integration in the host genome is possible with the retrovirus, lentivirus, and adeno-associated virus gene transfer methods, often resulting in long term expression of the inserted transgene. Additionally, high transduction efficiencies have been observed in many different cell types and target tissues.

The tropism of a retrovirus can be altered by incorporating foreign envelope proteins, expanding the potential target population of target cells. Lentiviral vectors are retroviral vectors that are able to transduce or infect non-dividing cells and typically produce high viral titers. Selection of a retroviral gene transfer system would therefore depend on the target tissue. Retroviral vectors are comprised of cis-acting long terminal repeats with packaging capacity for up to 6-10 kb of foreign sequence. The minimum cis-acting LTRs are sufficient for replication and packaging of the vectors, which are then used to integrate the therapeutic gene into the target cell to provide permanent transgene expression. Widely used retroviral vectors include those based upon murine leukemia virus (MuLV), gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), Simian Immuno deficiency virus (SIV), human immuno deficiency virus (HIV), and combinations thereof (see, e.g., Buchscher et al., J. Virol. 66:2731-2739 (1992); Johann et al., J. Virol. 66:1635-1640 (1992); Sommnerfelt et al., Virol. 176:58-59 (1990); Wilson et al., J. Virol. 63:2374-2378 (1989); Miller et al., J. Virol. 65:2220-2224 (1991); PCT/US94/05700).

In another embodiment, Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vector particles are contemplated (see, e.g., US Patent Publication No. 20120164118 assigned to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center). Cocal virus is in the Vesiculovirus genus, and is a causative agent of vesicular stomatitis in mammals. Cocal virus was originally isolated from mites in Trinidad (Jonkers et al., Am. J. Vet. Res. 25:236-242 (1964)), and infections have been identified in Trinidad, Brazil, and Argentina from insects, cattle, and horses. Many of the vesiculoviruses that infect mammals have been isolated from naturally infected arthropods, suggesting that they are vector-borne. Antibodies to vesiculoviruses are common among people living in rural areas where the viruses are endemic and laboratory-acquired; infections in humans usually result in influenza-like symptoms. The Cocal virus envelope glycoprotein shares 71.5% identity at the amino acid level with VSV-G Indiana, and phylogenetic comparison of the envelope gene of vesiculoviruses shows that Cocal virus is serologically distinct from, but most closely related to, VSV-G Indiana strains among the vesiculoviruses. Jonkers et al., Am. J. Vet. Res. 25:236-242 (1964) and Travassos da Rosa et al., Am. J. Tropical Med. & Hygiene 33:999-1006 (1984). The Cocal vesiculovirus envelope pseudotyped retroviral vector particles may include for example, lentiviral, alpharetroviral, betaretroviral, gammaretroviral, deltaretroviral, and epsilonretroviral vector particles that may comprise retroviral Gag, Pol, and/or one or more accessory protein(s) and a Cocal vesiculovirus envelope protein. Within certain aspects of these embodiments, the Gag, Pol, and accessory proteins are lentiviral and/or gammaretroviral.

In applications where transient expression is preferred, adenoviral based systems may be used. Adenoviral based vectors are capable of very high transduction efficiency in many cell types and do not require cell division. With such vectors, high titer and levels of expression have been obtained. This vector can be produced in large quantities in a relatively simple system.

Adeno-associated virus (“AAV”) vectors may also be used to transduce cells with target nucleic acids, e.g., in the in vitro production of nucleic acids and peptides, and for in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy procedures (see, e.g., West et al., Virology 160:38-47 (1987); U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,368; WO 93/24641; Kotin, Human Gene Therapy 5:793-801 (1994); Muzyczka, J. Clin. Invest. 94:1351 (1994). Construction of recombinant AAV vectors are described in a number of publications, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,414; Tratschin et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 5:3251-3260 (1985); Tratschin, et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 4:2072-2081 (1984); Hermonat & Muzyczka, PNAS 81:6466-6470 (1984); and Samulski et al., J. Virol. 63:03822-3828 (1989).

Packaging cells are typically used to form virus particles that are capable of infecting a host cell. Such cells include 293 cells, which package adenovirus, and W2 cells or PA317 cells, which package retrovirus. Viral vectors used in gene therapy are usually generated by producer a cell line that packages a nucleic acid vector into a viral particle. The vectors typically contain the minimal viral sequences required for packaging and subsequent integration into a host, other viral sequences being replaced by an expression cassette for the polynucleotide(s) to be expressed. The missing viral functions are typically supplied in trans by the packaging cell line. For example, AAV vectors used in gene therapy typically only possess ITR sequences from the AAV genome which are required for packaging and integration into the host genome. Viral DNA is packaged in a cell line, which contains a helper plasmid encoding the other AAV genes, namely rep and cap, but lacking ITR sequences. The cell line may also infected with adenovirus as a helper. The helper virus promotes replication of the AAV vector and expression of AAV genes from the helper plasmid. The helper plasmid is not packaged in significant amounts due to a lack of ITR sequences. Contamination with adenovirus can be reduced by, e.g., heat treatment to which adenovirus is more sensitive than AAV.

Accordingly, AAV is considered an ideal candidate for use as a transducing vector. Such AAV transducing vectors can comprise sufficient cis-acting functions to replicate in the presence of adenovirus or herpesvirus or poxvirus (e.g., vaccinia virus) helper functions provided in trans. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) can be used to carry exogenous genes into cells of a variety of lineages. In these vectors, the AAV cap and/or rep genes are deleted from the viral genome and replaced with a DNA segment of choice. Current AAV vectors may accommodate up to 4300 bases of inserted DNA.

There are a number of ways to produce rAAV, and the invention provides rAAV and methods for preparing rAAV. For example, plasmid(s) containing or consisting essentially of the desired viral construct are transfected into AAV-infected cells. In addition, a second or additional helper plasmid is cotransfected into these cells to provide the AAV rep and/or cap genes which are obligatory for replication and packaging of the recombinant viral construct. Under these conditions, the rep and/or cap proteins of AAV act in trans to stimulate replication and packaging of the rAAV construct. Two to Three days after transfection, rAAV is harvested. Traditionally rAAV is harvested from the cells along with adenovirus. The contaminating adenovirus is then inactivated by heat treatment. In the instant invention, rAAV is advantageously harvested not from the cells themselves, but from cell supernatant. Accordingly, in an initial aspect the invention provides for preparing rAAV, and in addition to the foregoing, rAAV can be prepared by a method that comprises or consists essentially of: infecting susceptible cells with a rAAV containing exogenous DNA including DNA for expression, and helper virus (e.g., adenovirus, herpesvirus, poxvirus such as vaccinia virus) wherein the rAAV lacks functioning cap and/or rep (and the helper virus (e.g., adenovirus, herpesvirus, poxvirus such as vaccinia virus) provides the cap and/or rev function that the rAAV lacks); or infecting susceptible cells with a rAAV containing exogenous DNA including DNA for expression, wherein the recombinant lacks functioning cap and/or rep, and transfecting said cells with a plasmid supplying cap and/or rep function that the rAAV lacks; or infecting susceptible cells with a rAAV containing exogenous DNA including DNA for expression, wherein the recombinant lacks functioning cap and/or rep, wherein said cells supply cap and/or rep function that the recombinant lacks; or transfecting the susceptible cells with an AAV lacking functioning cap and/or rep and plasmids for inserting exogenous DNA into the recombinant so that the exogenous DNA is expressed by the recombinant and for supplying rep and/or cap functions whereby transfection results in an rAAV containing the exogenous DNA including DNA for expression that lacks functioning cap and/or rep.

The rAAV can be from an AAV as herein described, and advantageously can be an rAAV1, rAAV2, AAV5 or rAAV having hybrid capsid which may comprise AAV1, AAV2, AAV5 or any combination thereof. One can select the AAV of the rAAV with regard to the cells to be targeted by the rAAV; e.g., one can select AAV serotypes 1, 2, 5 or a hybrid capsid AAV1, AAV2, AAV5 or any combination thereof for targeting brain or neuronal cells; and one can select AAV4 for targeting cardiac tissue.

In addition to 293 cells, other cells that can be used in the practice of the invention and the relative infectivity of certain AAV serotypes in vitro as to these cells (see Grimm, D. et al, J. Virol. 82: 5887-5911 (2008)) are as follows in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Cell Line AAV-1 AAV-2 AAV-3 AAV-4 AAV-5 AAV-6 AAV-8 AAV-9 Huh-7 13 100 2.5 0.0 0.1 10 0.7 0.0 HEK293 25 100 2.5 0.1 0.1 5 0.7 0.1 HeLa 3 100 2.0 0.1 6.7 1 0.2 0.1 HepG2 3 100 16.7 0.3 1.7 5 0.3 ND Hep1A 20 100 0.2 1.0 0.1 1 0.2 0.0 911 17 100 11 0.2 0.1 17 0.1 ND CHO 100 100 14 1.4 333 50 10 1.0 COS 33 100 33 3.3 5.0 14 2.0 0.5 MeWo 10 100 20 0.3 6.7 10 1.0 0.2 NIH3T3 10 100 2.9 2.9 0.3 10 0.3 ND A549 14 100 20 ND 0.5 10 0.5 0.1 HT1180 20 100 10 0.1 0.3 33 0.5 0.1 Monocytes 1111 100 ND ND 125 1429 ND ND Immature DC 2500 100 ND ND 222 2857 ND ND Mature DC 2222 100 ND ND 333 3333 ND ND

The invention provides rAAV that contains or consists essentially of an exogenous nucleic acid molecule encoding a CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) system, e.g., a plurality of cassettes comprising or consisting a first cassette comprising or consisting essentially of a promoter, a nucleic acid molecule encoding a CRISPR-associated (Cas) protein (putative nuclease or helicase proteins), e.g., Cas9 and a terminator, and a two, or more, advantageously up to the packaging size limit of the vector, e.g., in total (including the first cassette) five, cassettes comprising or consisting essentially of a promoter, nucleic acid molecule encoding guide RNA (gRNA) and a terminator (e.g., each cassette schematically represented as Promoter-gRNA1-terminator, Promoter-gRNA2-terminator . . . Promoter-gRNA(N)-terminator (where N is a number that can be inserted that is at an upper limit of the packaging size limit of the vector), or two or more individual rAAVs, each containing one or more than one cassette of a CRISPR system, e.g., a first rAAV containing the first cassette comprising or consisting essentially of a promoter, a nucleic acid molecule encoding Cas, e.g., Cas9 and a terminator, and a second rAAV containing a plurality, four, cassettes comprising or consisting essentially of a promoter, nucleic acid molecule encoding guide RNA (gRNA) and a terminator (e.g., each cassette schematically represented as Promoter-gRNA1-terminator, Promoter-gRNA2-terminator . . . Promoter-gRNA(N)-terminator (where N is a number that can be inserted that is at an upper limit of the packaging size limit of the vector). As rAAV is a DNA virus, the nucleic acid molecules in the herein discussion concerning AAV or rAAV are advantageously DNA. The promoter is in some embodiments advantageously human Synapsin I promoter (hSyn).

Additional methods for the delivery of nucleic acids to cells are known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, US20030087817, incorporated herein by reference. See also Kanasty, also incorporated by reference and discussed herein.

In some embodiments, a host cell is transiently or non-transiently transfected with one or more vectors described herein. In some embodiments, a cell is transfected as it naturally occurs in a subject. In some embodiments, a cell that is transfected is taken from a subject. In some embodiments, the cell is derived from cells taken from a subject, such as a cell line. A wide variety of cell lines for tissue culture are known in the art. Examples of cell lines include, but are not limited to, C8161, CCRF-CEM, MOLT, mIMCD-3, NHDF, HeLa-S3, Huh1, Huh4, Huh7, HUVEC, HASMC, HEKn, HEKa, MiaPaCell, Panc1, PC-3, TF1, CTLL-2, CIR, Rat6, CV1, RPTE, A10, T24, J82, A375, ARH-77, Calu1, SW480, SW620, SKOV3, SK-UT, CaCo2, P388D1, SEM-K2, WEHI-231, HB56, TIB55, Jurkat, J45.01, LRMB, Bcl-1, BC-3, IC21, DLD2, Raw264.7, NRK, NRK-52E, MRC5, MEF, Hep G2, HeLa B, HeLa T4, COS, COS-1, COS-6, COS-M6A, BS-C-1 monkey kidney epithelial, BALB/3T3 mouse embryo fibroblast, 3T3 Swiss, 3T3-L1, 132-d5 human fetal fibroblasts; 10.1 mouse fibroblasts, 293-T, 3T3, 721, 9L, A2780, A2780ADR, A2780cis, A172, A20, A253, A431, A-549, ALC, B16, B35, BCP-1 cells, BEAS-2B, bEnd.3, BHK-21, BR 293, BxPC3, C3H-10T1/2, C6/36, Cal-27, CHO, CHO-7, CHO-IR, CHO-K1, CHO-K2, CHO-T, CHO Dhfr −/−, COR-L23, COR-L23/CPR, COR-L23/5010, COR-L23/R23, COS-7, COV-434, CML T1, CMT, CT26, D17, DH82, DU145, DuCaP, EL4, EM2, EM3, EMT6/AR1, EMT6/AR10.0, FM3, H1299, H69, HB54, HB55, HCA2, HEK-293, HeLa, Hepa1c1c7, HL-60, HMEC, HT-29, Jurkat, JY cells, K562 cells, Ku812, KCL22, KG1, KYO1, LNCap, Ma-Mel 1-48, MC-38, MCF-7, MCF-10A, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-435, MDCK II, MDCK II, MOR/0.2R, MONO-MAC 6, MTD-1A, MyEnd, NCI-H69/CPR, NCI-H69/LX10, NCI-H69/LX20, NCI-H69/LX4, NIH-3T3, NALM-1, NW-145, OPCN/OPCT cell lines, Peer, PNT-1A/PNT 2, RenCa, RIN-5F, RMA/RMAS, Saos-2 cells, Sf-9, SkBr3, T2, T-47D, T84, THP1 cell line, U373, U87, U937, VCaP, Vero cells, WM39, WT-49, X63, YAC-1, YAR, and transgenic varieties thereof. Cell lines are available from a variety of sources known to those with skill in the art (see, e.g., the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) (Manassas, Va.)). In some embodiments, a cell transfected with one or more vectors described herein is used to establish a new cell line comprising one or more vector-derived sequences. In some embodiments, a cell transiently transfected with the components of a CRISPR system as described herein (such as by transient transfection of one or more vectors, or transfection with RNA), and modified through the activity of a CRISPR complex, is used to establish a new cell line comprising cells containing the modification but lacking any other exogenous sequence. In some embodiments, cells transiently or non-transiently transfected with one or more vectors described herein, or cell lines derived from such cells are used in assessing one or more test compounds.

In some embodiments, one or more vectors described herein are used to produce a non-human transgenic animal or transgenic plant. In some embodiments, the transgenic animal is a mammal, such as a mouse, rat, or rabbit. Methods for producing transgenic animals and plants are known in the art, and generally begin with a method of cell transfection, such as described herein.

In another embodiment, a fluid delivery device with an array of needles (see, e.g., US Patent Publication No. 20110230839 assigned to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) may be contemplated for delivery of CRISPR Cas to solid tissue. A device of US Patent Publication No. 20110230839 for delivery of a fluid to a solid tissue may comprise a plurality of needles arranged in an array; a plurality of reservoirs, each in fluid communication with a respective one of the plurality of needles; and a plurality of actuators operatively coupled to respective ones of the plurality of reservoirs and configured to control a fluid pressure within the reservoir. In certain embodiments each of the plurality of actuators may comprise one of a plurality of plungers, a first end of each of the plurality of plungers being received in a respective one of the plurality of reservoirs, and in certain further embodiments the plungers of the plurality of plungers are operatively coupled together at respective second ends so as to be simultaneously depressable. Certain still further embodiments may comprise a plunger driver configured to depress all of the plurality of plungers at a selectively variable rate. In other embodiments each of the plurality of actuators may comprise one of a plurality of fluid transmission lines having first and second ends, a first end of each of the plurality of fluid transmission lines being coupled to a respective one of the plurality of reservoirs. In other embodiments the device may comprise a fluid pressure source, and each of the plurality of actuators comprises a fluid coupling between the fluid pressure source and a respective one of the plurality of reservoirs. In further embodiments the fluid pressure source may comprise at least one of a compressor, a vacuum accumulator, a peristaltic pump, a master cylinder, a microfluidic pump, and a valve. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of needles may comprise a plurality of ports distributed along its length.

Modifying a Target

In one aspect, the invention provides for methods of modifying a target polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell, which may be in vivo, ex vivo or in vitro. In some embodiments, the method comprises sampling or biopsying a cell or population of cells from a human or non-human animal, or a plant, and modifying the cell or cells. Culturing may occur at any stage ex vivo. The cell or cells may even be re-introduced into the non-human animal or plant. For re-introduced cells it is particularly preferred that the cells are stem cells.

In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to the target polynucleotide to effect cleavage of said target polynucleotide thereby modifying the target polynucleotide, wherein the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within said target polynucleotide, wherein said guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of modifying expression of a polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. In some embodiments, the method comprises allowing a CRISPR complex to bind to the polynucleotide such that said binding results in increased or decreased expression of said polynucleotide; wherein the CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within said polynucleotide, wherein said guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence. Similar considerations and conditions apply as above for methods of modifying a target polynucleotide. In fact, these sampling, culturing and re-introduction options apply across the aspects of the present invention.

Indeed, in any aspect of the invention, the CRISPR complex may comprise a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence, wherein said guide sequence may be linked to a tracr mate sequence which in turn may hybridize to a tracr sequence. Similar considerations and conditions apply as above for methods of modifying a target polynucleotide.

Kits

In one aspect, the invention provides kits containing any one or more of the elements disclosed in the above methods and compositions. Elements may be provided individually or in combinations, and may be provided in any suitable container, such as a vial, a bottle, or a tube. In some embodiments, the kit includes instructions in one or more languages, for example in more than one language.

In some embodiments, a kit comprises one or more reagents for use in a process utilizing one or more of the elements described herein. Reagents may be provided in any suitable container. For example, a kit may provide one or more reaction or storage buffers. Reagents may be provided in a form that is usable in a particular assay, or in a form that requires addition of one or more other components before use (e.g. in concentrate or lyophilized form). A buffer can be any buffer, including but not limited to a sodium carbonate buffer, a sodium bicarbonate buffer, a borate buffer, a Tris buffer, a MOPS buffer, a HEPES buffer, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the buffer is alkaline. In some embodiments, the buffer has a pH from about 7 to about 10. In some embodiments, the kit comprises one or more oligonucleotides corresponding to a guide sequence for insertion into a vector so as to operably link the guide sequence and a regulatory element. In some embodiments, the kit comprises a homologous recombination template polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the kit comprises one or more of the vectors and/or one or more of the polynucleotides described herein. The kit may advantageously allows to provide all elements of the systems of the invention.

CRISPR Complex

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for using one or more elements of a CRISPR system. The CRISPR complex of the invention provides an effective means for modifying a target polynucleotide. The CRISPR complex of the invention has a wide variety of utility including modifying (e.g., deleting, inserting, translocating, inactivating, activating) a target polynucleotide in a multiplicity of cell types. As such the CRISPR complex of the invention has a broad spectrum of applications in, e.g., gene therapy, drug screening, disease diagnosis, and prognosis. An exemplary CRISPR complex comprises a CRISPR enzyme complexed with a guide sequence hybridized to a target sequence within the target polynucleotide. The guide sequence is linked to a tracr mate sequence, which in turn hybridizes to a tracr sequence.

In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of cleaving a target polynucleotide. The method comprises modifying a target polynucleotide using a CRISPR complex that binds to the target polynucleotide and effect cleavage of said target polynucleotide. Typically, the CRISPR complex of the invention, when introduced into a cell, creates a break (e.g., a single or a double strand break) in the genome sequence. For example, the method can be used to cleave a disease gene in a cell.

The break created by the CRISPR complex can be repaired by a repair processes such as the error prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway or the high fidelity homology-directed repair (HDR) (FIG. 29). During these repair process, an exogenous polynucleotide template can be introduced into the genome sequence. In some methods, the HDR process is used modify genome sequence. For example, an exogenous polynucleotide template comprising a sequence to be integrated flanked by an upstream sequence and a downstream sequence is introduced into a cell. The upstream and downstream sequences share sequence similarity with either side of the site of integration in the chromosome.

Where desired, a donor polynucleotide can be DNA, e.g., a DNA plasmid, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), a viral vector, a linear piece of DNA, a PCR fragment, a naked nucleic acid, or a nucleic acid complexed with a delivery vehicle such as a liposome or poloxamer.

The exogenous polynucleotide template comprises a sequence to be integrated (e.g., a mutated gene). The sequence for integration may be a sequence endogenous or exogenous to the cell. Examples of a sequence to be integrated include polynucleotides encoding a protein or a non-coding RNA (e.g., a microRNA). Thus, the sequence for integration may be operably linked to an appropriate control sequence or sequences. Alternatively, the sequence to be integrated may provide a regulatory function.

The upstream and downstream sequences in the exogenous polynucleotide template are selected to promote recombination between the chromosomal sequence of interest and the donor polynucleotide. The upstream sequence is a nucleic acid sequence that shares sequence similarity with the genome sequence upstream of the targeted site for integration. Similarly, the downstream sequence is a nucleic acid sequence that shares sequence similarity with the chromosomal sequence downstream of the targeted site of integration. The upstream and downstream sequences in the exogenous polynucleotide template can have 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% sequence identity with the targeted genome sequence. Preferably, the upstream and downstream sequences in the exogenous polynucleotide template have about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the targeted genome sequence. In some methods, the upstream and downstream sequences in the exogenous polynucleotide template have about 99% or 100% sequence identity with the targeted genome sequence.

An upstream or downstream sequence may comprise from about 20 bp to about 2500 bp, for example, about 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, or 2500 bp. In some methods, the exemplary upstream or downstream sequence have about 200 bp to about 2000 bp, about 600 bp to about 1000 bp, or more particularly about 700 bp to about 1000 bp.

In some methods, the exogenous polynucleotide template may further comprise a marker. Such a marker may make it easy to screen for targeted integrations. Examples of suitable markers include restriction sites, fluorescent proteins, or selectable markers. The exogenous polynucleotide template of the invention can be constructed using recombinant techniques (see, for example, Sambrook et al., 2001 and Ausubel et al., 1996).

In an exemplary method for modifying a target polynucleotide by integrating an exogenous polynucleotide template, a double stranded break is introduced into the genome sequence by the CRISPR complex, the break is repaired via homologous recombination an exogenous polynucleotide template such that the template is integrated into the genome. The presence of a double-stranded break facilitates integration of the template.

In other embodiments, this invention provides a method of modifying expression of a polynucleotide in a eukaryotic cell. The method comprises increasing or decreasing expression of a target polynucleotide by using a CRISPR complex that binds to the polynucleotide.

In some methods, a target polynucleotide can be inactivated to effect the modification of the expression in a cell. For example, upon the binding of a CRISPR complex to a target sequence in a cell, the target polynucleotide is inactivated such that the sequence is not transcribed, the coded protein is not produced, or the sequence does not function as the wild-type sequence does. For example, a protein or microRNA coding sequence may be inactivated such that the protein is not produced.

In some methods, a control sequence can be inactivated such that it no longer functions as a control sequence. As used herein, “control sequence” refers to any nucleic acid sequence that effects the transcription, translation, or accessibility of a nucleic acid sequence. Examples of a control sequence include, a promoter, a transcription terminator, and an enhancer are control sequences.

The inactivated target sequence may include a deletion mutation (i.e., deletion of one or more nucleotides), an insertion mutation (i.e., insertion of one or more nucleotides), or a nonsense mutation (i.e., substitution of a single nucleotide for another nucleotide such that a stop codon is introduced). In some methods, the inactivation of a target sequence results in “knock-out” of the target sequence.

Disease Models

A method of the invention may be used to create a plant, an animal or cell that may be used as a disease model. As used herein, “disease” refers to a disease, disorder, or indication in a subject. For example, a method of the invention may be used to create an animal or cell that comprises a modification in one or more nucleic acid sequences associated with a disease, or a plant, animal or cell in which the expression of one or more nucleic acid sequences associated with a disease are altered. Such a nucleic acid sequence may encode a disease associated protein sequence or may be a disease associated control sequence. Accordingly, it is understood that in embodiments of the invention, a plant, subject, patient, organism or cell can be a non-human subject, patient, organism or cell. Thus, the invention provides a plant, animal or cell, produced by the present methods, or a progeny thereof. The progeny may be a clone of the produced plant or animal, or may result from sexual reproduction by crossing with other individuals of the same species to introgress further desirable traits into their offspring. The cell may be in vivo or ex vivo in the cases of multicellular organisms, particularly animals or plants. In the instance where the cell is in cultured, a cell line may be established if appropriate culturing conditions are met and preferably if the cell is suitably adapted for this purpose (for instance a stem cell). Bacterial cell lines produced by the invention are also envisaged. Hence, cell lines are also envisaged.

In some methods, the disease model can be used to study the effects of mutations on the animal or cell and development and/or progression of the disease using measures commonly used in the study of the disease. Alternatively, such a disease model is useful for studying the effect of a pharmaceutically active compound on the disease.

In some methods, the disease model can be used to assess the efficacy of a potential gene therapy strategy. That is, a disease-associated gene or polynucleotide can be modified such that the disease development and/or progression is inhibited or reduced. In particular, the method comprises modifying a disease-associated gene or polynucleotide such that an altered protein is produced and, as a result, the animal or cell has an altered response. Accordingly, in some methods, a genetically modified animal may be compared with an animal predisposed to development of the disease such that the effect of the gene therapy event may be assessed.

In another embodiment, this invention provides a method of developing a biologically active agent that modulates a cell signaling event associated with a disease gene. The method comprises contacting a test compound with a cell comprising one or more vectors that drive expression of one or more of a CRISPR enzyme, a guide sequence linked to a tracr mate sequence, and a tracr sequence; and detecting a change in a readout that is indicative of a reduction or an augmentation of a cell signaling event associated with, e.g., a mutation in a disease gene contained in the cell.

A cell model, including an organoid or cell collection as described herein, or animal model can be constructed in combination with the method of the invention for screening a cellular function change. Such a model may be used to study the effects of a genome sequence modified by the CRISPR complex of the invention on a cellular function of interest. For example, a cellular function model may be used to study the effect of a modified genome sequence on intracellular signaling or extracellular signaling. Alternatively, a cellular function model may be used to study the effects of a modified genome sequence on sensory perception. In some such models, one or more genome sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway in the model are modified.

Several disease models have been specifically investigated. These include de novo autism risk genes CHD8, KATNAL2, and SCN2A; and the syndromic autism (Angelman Syndrome) gene UBE3A. These genes and resulting autism models are of course preferred, but serve to show the broad applicability of the invention across genes and corresponding models.

An altered expression of one or more genome sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway can be determined by assaying for a difference in the mRNA levels of the corresponding genes between the test model cell and a control cell, when they are contacted with a candidate agent. Alternatively, the differential expression of the sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is determined by detecting a difference in the level of the encoded polypeptide or gene product.

To assay for an agent-induced alteration in the level of mRNA transcripts or corresponding polynucleotides, nucleic acid contained in a sample is first extracted according to standard methods in the art. For instance, mRNA can be isolated using various lytic enzymes or chemical solutions according to the procedures set forth in Sambrook et al. (1989), or extracted by nucleic-acid-binding resins following the accompanying instructions provided by the manufacturers. The mRNA contained in the extracted nucleic acid sample is then detected by amplification procedures or conventional hybridization assays (e.g. Northern blot analysis) according to methods widely known in the art or based on the methods exemplified herein.

For purpose of this invention, amplification means any method employing a primer and a polymerase capable of replicating a target sequence with reasonable fidelity. Amplification may be carried out by natural or recombinant DNA polymerases such as TaqGold™, T7 DNA polymerase, Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase, and reverse transcriptase. A preferred amplification method is PCR. In particular, the isolated RNA can be subjected to a reverse transcription assay that is coupled with a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in order to quantify the expression level of a sequence associated with a signaling biochemical pathway.

Detection of the gene expression level can be conducted in real time in an amplification assay. In one aspect, the amplified products can be directly visualized with fluorescent DNA-binding agents including but not limited to DNA intercalators and DNA groove binders. Because the amount of the intercalators incorporated into the double-stranded DNA molecules is typically proportional to the amount of the amplified DNA products, one can conveniently determine the amount of the amplified products by quantifying the fluorescence of the intercalated dye using conventional optical systems in the art. DNA-binding dye suitable for this application include SYBR green, SYBR blue, DAPI, propidium iodine, Hoeste, SYBR gold, ethidium bromide, acridines, proflavine, acridine orange, acriflavine, fluorcoumanin, ellipticine, daunomycin, chloroquine, distamycin D, chromomycin, homidium, mithramycin, ruthenium polypyridyls, anthramycin, and the like.

In another aspect, other fluorescent labels such as sequence specific probes can be employed in the amplification reaction to facilitate the detection and quantification of the amplified products. Probe-based quantitative amplification relies on the sequence-specific detection of a desired amplified product. It utilizes fluorescent, target-specific probes (e.g., TaqMan® probes) resulting in increased specificity and sensitivity. Methods for performing probe-based quantitative amplification are well established in the art and are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,015.

In yet another aspect, conventional hybridization assays using hybridization probes that share sequence homology with sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway can be performed. Typically, probes are allowed to form stable complexes with the sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway contained within the biological sample derived from the test subject in a hybridization reaction. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that where antisense is used as the probe nucleic acid, the target polynucleotides provided in the sample are chosen to be complementary to sequences of the antisense nucleic acids. Conversely, where the nucleotide probe is a sense nucleic acid, the target polynucleotide is selected to be complementary to sequences of the sense nucleic acid.

Hybridization can be performed under conditions of various stringency. Suitable hybridization conditions for the practice of the present invention are such that the recognition interaction between the probe and sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is both sufficiently specific and sufficiently stable. Conditions that increase the stringency of a hybridization reaction are widely known and published in the art. See, for example, (Sambrook, et al., (1989); Nonradioactive In Situ Hybridization Application Manual, Boehringer Mannheim, second edition). The hybridization assay can be formed using probes immobilized on any solid support, including but are not limited to nitrocellulose, glass, silicon, and a variety of gene arrays. A preferred hybridization assay is conducted on high-density gene chips as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934.

For a convenient detection of the probe-target complexes formed during the hybridization assay, the nucleotide probes are conjugated to a detectable label. Detectable labels suitable for use in the present invention include any composition detectable by photochemical, biochemical, spectroscopic, immunochemical, electrical, optical or chemical means. A wide variety of appropriate detectable labels are known in the art, which include fluorescent or chemiluminescent labels, radioactive isotope labels, enzymatic or other ligands. In preferred embodiments, one will likely desire to employ a fluorescent label or an enzyme tag, such as digoxigenin, ß-galactosidase, urease, alkaline phosphatase or peroxidase, avidin/biotin complex.

The detection methods used to detect or quantify the hybridization intensity will typically depend upon the label selected above. For example, radiolabels may be detected using photographic film or a phosphoimager. Fluorescent markers may be detected and quantified using a photodetector to detect emitted light. Enzymatic labels are typically detected by providing the enzyme with a substrate and measuring the reaction product produced by the action of the enzyme on the substrate; and finally colorimetric labels are detected by simply visualizing the colored label.

An agent-induced change in expression of sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway can also be determined by examining the corresponding gene products. Determining the protein level typically involves a) contacting the protein contained in a biological sample with an agent that specifically bind to a protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway; and (b) identifying any agent:protein complex so formed. In one aspect of this embodiment, the agent that specifically binds a protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is an antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody.

The reaction is performed by contacting the agent with a sample of the proteins associated with a signaling biochemical pathway derived from the test samples under conditions that will allow a complex to form between the agent and the proteins associated with a signaling biochemical pathway. The formation of the complex can be detected directly or indirectly according to standard procedures in the art. In the direct detection method, the agents are supplied with a detectable label and unreacted agents may be removed from the complex; the amount of remaining label thereby indicating the amount of complex formed. For such method, it is preferable to select labels that remain attached to the agents even during stringent washing conditions. It is preferable that the label does not interfere with the binding reaction. In the alternative, an indirect detection procedure may use an agent that contains a label introduced either chemically or enzymatically. A desirable label generally does not interfere with binding or the stability of the resulting agent:polypeptide complex. However, the label is typically designed to be accessible to an antibody for an effective binding and hence generating a detectable signal.

A wide variety of labels suitable for detecting protein levels are known in the art. Non-limiting examples include radioisotopes, enzymes, colloidal metals, fluorescent compounds, bioluminescent compounds, and chemiluminescent compounds.

The amount of agent:polypeptide complexes formed during the binding reaction can be quantified by standard quantitative assays. As illustrated above, the formation of agent:polypeptide complex can be measured directly by the amount of label remained at the site of binding. In an alternative, the protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is tested for its ability to compete with a labeled analog for binding sites on the specific agent. In this competitive assay, the amount of label captured is inversely proportional to the amount of protein sequences associated with a signaling biochemical pathway present in a test sample.

A number of techniques for protein analysis based on the general principles outlined above are available in the art. They include but are not limited to radioimmunoassays, ELISA (enzyme linked immunoradiometric assays), “sandwich” immunoassays, immunoradiometric assays, in situ immunoassays (using e.g., colloidal gold, enzyme or radioisotope labels), western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation assays, immunofluorescent assays, and SDS-PAGE.

Antibodies that specifically recognize or bind to proteins associated with a signaling biochemical pathway are preferable for conducting the aforementioned protein analyses. Where desired, antibodies that recognize a specific type of post-translational modifications (e.g., signaling biochemical pathway inducible modifications) can be used. Post-translational modifications include but are not limited to glycosylation, lipidation, acetylation, and phosphorylation. These antibodies may be purchased from commercial vendors. For example, anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies that specifically recognize tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins are available from a number of vendors including Invitrogen and Perkin Elmer. Anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies are particularly useful in detecting proteins that are differentially phosphorylated on their tyrosine residues in response to an ER stress. Such proteins include but are not limited to eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF-2α). Alternatively, these antibodies can be generated using conventional polyclonal or monoclonal antibody technologies by immunizing a host animal or an antibody-producing cell with a target protein that exhibits the desired post-translational modification.

In practicing the subject method, it may be desirable to discern the expression pattern of an protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway in different bodily tissue, in different cell types, and/or in different subcellular structures. These studies can be performed with the use of tissue-specific, cell-specific or subcellular structure specific antibodies capable of binding to protein markers that are preferentially expressed in certain tissues, cell types, or subcellular structures.

An altered expression of a gene associated with a signaling biochemical pathway can also be determined by examining a change in activity of the gene product relative to a control cell. The assay for an agent-induced change in the activity of a protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway will dependent on the biological activity and/or the signal transduction pathway that is under investigation. For example, where the protein is a kinase, a change in its ability to phosphorylate the downstream substrate(s) can be determined by a variety of assays known in the art. Representative assays include but are not limited to immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation with antibodies such as anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies that recognize phosphorylated proteins. In addition, kinase activity can be detected by high throughput chemiluminescent assays such as AlphaScreen™ (available from Perkin Elmer) and eTag™ assay (Chan-Hui, et al. (2003) Clinical Immunology 111: 162-174).

Where the protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is part of a signaling cascade leading to a fluctuation of intracellular pH condition, pH sensitive molecules such as fluorescent pH dyes can be used as the reporter molecules. In another example where the protein associated with a signaling biochemical pathway is an ion channel, fluctuations in membrane potential and/or intracellular ion concentration can be monitored. A number of commercial kits and high-throughput devices are particularly suited for a rapid and robust screening for modulators of ion channels. Representative instruments include FLIPR™ (Molecular Devices, Inc.) and VIPR (Aurora Biosciences). These instruments are capable of detecting reactions in over 1000 sample wells of a microplate simultaneously, and providing real-time measurement and functional data within a second or even a minisecond.

In practicing any of the methods disclosed herein, a suitable vector can be introduced to a cell or an embryo via one or more methods known in the art, including without limitation, microinjection, electroporation, sonoporation, biolistics, calcium phosphate-mediated transfection, cationic transfection, liposome transfection, dendrimer transfection, heat shock transfection, nucleofection transfection, magnetofection, lipofection, impalefection, optical transfection, proprietary agent-enhanced uptake of nucleic acids, and delivery via liposomes, immunoliposomes, virosomes, or artificial virions. In some methods, the vector is introduced into an embryo by microinjection. The vector or vectors may be microinjected into the nucleus or the cytoplasm of the embryo. In some methods, the vector or vectors may be introduced into a cell by nucleofection.

The target polynucleotide of a CRISPR complex can be any polynucleotide endogenous or exogenous to the eukaryotic cell. For example, the target polynucleotide can be a polynucleotide residing in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell. The target polynucleotide can be a sequence coding a gene product (e.g., a protein) or a non-coding sequence (e.g., a regulatory polynucleotide or a junk DNA).

Examples of target polynucleotides include a sequence associated with a signaling biochemical pathway, e.g., a signaling biochemical pathway-associated gene or polynucleotide. Examples of target polynucleotides include a disease associated gene or polynucleotide. A “disease-associated” gene or polynucleotide refers to any gene or polynucleotide which is yielding transcription or translation products at an abnormal level or in an abnormal form in cells derived from a disease-affected tissues compared with tissues or cells of a non disease control. It may be a gene that becomes expressed at an abnormally high level; it may be a gene that becomes expressed at an abnormally low level, where the altered expression correlates with the occurrence and/or progression of the disease. A disease-associated gene also refers to a gene possessing mutation(s) or genetic variation that is directly responsible or is in linkage disequilibrium with a gene(s) that is responsible for the etiology of a disease. The transcribed or translated products may be known or unknown, and may be at a normal or abnormal level.

The target polynucleotide of a CRISPR complex can be any polynucleotide endogenous or exogenous to the eukaryotic cell. For example, the target polynucleotide can be a polynucleotide residing in the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell. The target polynucleotide can be a sequence coding a gene product (e.g., a protein) or a non-coding sequence (e.g., a regulatory polynucleotide or a junk DNA). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the target sequence should be associated with a PAM (protospacer adjacent motif); that is, a short sequence recognized by the CRISPR complex. The precise sequence and length requirements for the PAM differ depending on the CRISPR enzyme used, but PAMs are typically 2-5 base pair sequences adjacent the protospacer (that is, the target sequence) Examples of PAM sequences are given in the examples section below, and the skilled person will be able to identify further PAM sequences for use with a given CRISPR enzyme.

The target polynucleotide of a CRISPR complex may include a number of disease-associated genes and polynucleotides as well as signaling biochemical pathway-associated genes and polynucleotides as listed in U.S. provisional patent applications 61/736,527 and 61/748,427 having Broad reference BI-2011/008/WSGR Docket No. 44063-701.101 and BI-2011/008/WSGR Docket No. 44063-701.102 respectively, both entitled SYSTEMS METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR SEQUENCE MANIPULATION filed on Dec. 12, 2012 and Jan. 2, 2013, respectively, the contents of all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Examples of target polynucleotides include a sequence associated with a signaling biochemical pathway, e.g., a signaling biochemical pathway-associated gene or polynucleotide. Examples of target polynucleotides include a disease associated gene or polynucleotide. A “disease-associated” gene or polynucleotide refers to any gene or polynucleotide which is yielding transcription or translation products at an abnormal level or in an abnormal form in cells derived from a disease-affected tissues compared with tissues or cells of a non disease control. It may be a gene that becomes expressed at an abnormally high level; it may be a gene that becomes expressed at an abnormally low level, where the altered expression correlates with the occurrence and/or progression of the disease. A disease-associated gene also refers to a gene possessing mutation(s) or genetic variation that is directly responsible or is in linkage disequilibrium with a gene(s) that is responsible for the etiology of a disease. The transcribed or translated products may be known or unknown, and may be at a normal or abnormal level.

Examples of disease-associated genes and polynucleotides are listed in Tables 7 and 8. Disease specific information is available from McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, Md.) and National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine (Bethesda, Md.), available on the World Wide Web. Examples of signaling biochemical pathway-associated genes and polynucleotides are listed in Table 9.

Mutations in these genes and pathways can result in production of improper proteins or proteins in improper amounts which affect function. Further examples of genes, diseases and proteins are hereby incorporated by reference from U.S. Provisional application 61/736,527 filed Dec. 12, 2012. Such genes, proteins and pathways may be the target polynucleotide of a CRISPR complex.

TABLE 7 DISEASE/DISORDERS GENE(S) Neoplasia PTEN; ATM; ATR; EGFR; ERBB2; ERBB3; ERBB4; Notch1; Notch2; Notch3; Notch4; AKT; AKT2; AKT3; HIF; HIF1a; HIF3a; Met; HRG; Bcl2; PPAR alpha; PPAR gamma; WT1 (Wilms Tumor); FGF Receptor Family members (5 members: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5); CDKN2a; APC; RB (retinoblastoma); MEN1; VHL; BRCA1; BRCA2; AR (Androgen Receptor); TSG101; IGF; IGF Receptor; Igf1 (4 variants); Igf2 (3 variants); Igf 1 Receptor; Igf 2 Receptor; Bax; Bcl2; caspases family (9 members: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12); Kras; Apc Age-related Macular Abcr; Ccl2; Cc2; cp (ceruloplasmin); Timp3; cathepsinD; Degeneration Vldlr; Ccr2 Schizophrenia Neuregulin1 (Nrg1); Erb4 (receptor for Neuregulin); Complexin1 (Cplx1); Tph1 Tryptophan hydroxylase; Tph2 Tryptophan hydroxylase 2; Neurexin 1; GSK3; GSK3a; GSK3b Disorders 5-HTT (Slc6a4); COMT; DRD (Drd1a); SLC6A3; DAOA; DTNBP1; Dao (Dao1) Trinucleotide Repeat HTT (Huntington's Dx); SBMA/SMAX1/AR (Kennedy's Disorders Dx); FXN/X25 (Friedrich's Ataxia); ATX3 (Machado- Joseph's Dx); ATXN1 and ATXN2 (spinocerebellar ataxias); DMPK (myotonic dystrophy); Atrophin-1 and Atn1 (DRPLA Dx); CBP (Creb-BP - global instability); VLDLR (Alzheimer's); Atxn7; Atxn10 Fragile X Syndrome FMR2; FXR1; FXR2; mGLUR5 Secretase Related APH-1 (alpha and beta); Presenilin (Psen1); nicastrin Disorders (Ncstn); PEN-2 Others Nos1; Parp1; Nat1; Nat2 Prion - related disorders Prp ALS SOD1; ALS2; STEX; FUS; TARDBP; VEGF (VEGF-a; VEGF-b; VEGF-c) Drug addiction Prkce (alcohol); Drd2; Drd4; ABAT (alcohol); GRIA2; Grm5; Grin1; Htr1b; Grin2a; Drd3; Pdyn; Gria1 (alcohol) Autism Mecp2; BZRAP1; MDGA2; Sema5A; Neurexin 1; Fragile X (FMR2 (AFF2); FXR1; FXR2; Mglur5) Alzheimer's Disease E1; CHIP; UCH; UBB; Tau; LRP; PICALM; Clusterin; PS1; SORL1; CR1; Vldlr; Uba1; Uba3; CHIP28 (Aqp1, Aquaporin 1); Uchl1; Uchl3; APP Inflammation IL-10; IL-1 (IL-1a; IL-1b); IL-13; IL-17 (IL-17a (CTLA8); IL- 17b; IL-17c; IL-17d; IL-17f); II-23; Cx3cr1; ptpn22; TNFa; NOD2/CARD15 for IBD; IL-6; IL-12 (IL-12a; IL-12b); CTLA4; Cx3cl1 Parkinson's Disease x-Synuclein; DJ-1; LRRK2; Parkin; PINK1

TABLE 8 Blood and Anemia (CDAN1, CDA1, RPS19, DBA, PKLR, PK1, NT5C3, UMPH1, coagulation diseases PSN1, RHAG, RH50A, NRAMP2, SPTB, ALAS2, ANH1, ASB, and disorders ABCB7, ABC7, ASAT); Bare lymphocyte syndrome (TAPBP, TPSN, TAP2, ABCB3, PSF2, RING11, MHC2TA, C2TA, RFX5, RFXAP, RFX5), Bleeding disorders (TBXA2R, P2RX1, P2X1); Factor H and factor H-like 1 (HF1, CFH, HUS); Factor V and factor VIII (MCFD2); Factor VII deficiency (F7); Factor X deficiency (F10); Factor XI deficiency (F11); Factor XII deficiency (F12, HAF); Factor XIIIA deficiency (F13A1, F13A); Factor XIIIB deficiency (F13B); Fanconi anemia (FANCA, FACA, FA1, FA, FAA, FAAP95, FAAP90, FLJ34064, FANCB, FANCC, FACC, BRCA2, FANCD1, FANCD2, FANCD, FACD, FAD, FANCE, FACE, FANCF, XRCC9, FANCG, BRIP1, BACH1, FANCJ, PHF9, FANCL, FANCM, KIAA1596); Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis disorders (PRF1, HPLH2, UNC13D, MUNC13-4, HPLH3, HLH3, FHL3); Hemophilia A (F8, F8C, HEMA); Hemophilia B (F9, HEMB), Hemorrhagic disorders (PI, ATT, F5); Leukocyde deficiencies and disorders (ITGB2, CD18, LCAMB, LAD, EIF2B1, EIF2BA, EIF2B2, EIF2B3, EIF2B5, LVWM, CACH, CLE, EIF2B4); Sickle cell anemia (HBB); Thalassemia (HBA2, HBB, HBD, LCRB, HBA1). Cell dysregulation B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (BCL7A, BCL7); Leukemia (TAL1 and oncology TCL5, SCL, TAL2, FLT3, NBS1, NBS, ZNFN1A1, IK1, LYF1, diseases and disorders HOXD4, HOX4B, BCR, CML, PHL, ALL, ARNT, KRAS2, RASK2, GMPS, AF10, ARHGEF12, LARG, KIAA0382, CALM, CLTH, CEBPA, CEBP, CHIC2, BTL, FLT3, KIT, PBT, LPP, NPM1, NUP214, D9S46E, CAN, CAIN, RUNX1, CBFA2, AML1, WHSC1L1, NSD3, FLT3, AF1Q, NPM1, NUMA1, ZNF145, PLZF, PML, MYL, STAT5B, AF10, CALM, CLTH, ARL11, ARLTS1, P2RX7, P2X7, BCR, CML, PHL, ALL, GRAF, NF1, VRNF, WSS, NFNS, PTPN11, PTP2C, SHP2, NS1, BCL2, CCND1, PRAD1, BCL1, TCRA, GATA1, GF1, ERYF1, NFE1, ABL1, NQO1, DIA4, NMOR1, NUP214, D9S46E, CAN, CAIN). Inflammation and AIDS (KIR3DL1, NKAT3, NKB1, AMB11, KIR3DS1, IFNG, CXCL12, immune related SDF1); Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (TNFRSF6, APT1, diseases and disorders FAS, CD95, ALPS1A); Combined immunodeficiency, (IL2RG, SCIDX1, SCIDX, IMD4); HIV-1 (CCL5, SCYA5, D17S136E, TCP228), HIV susceptibility or infection (IL10, CSIF, CMKBR2, CCR2, CMKBR5, CCCKR5 (CCR5)); Immunodeficiencies (CD3E, CD3G, AICDA, AID, HIGM2, TNFRSF5, CD40, UNG, DGU, HIGM4, TNFSF5, CD40LG, HIGM1, IGM, FOXP3, IPEX, AIID, XPID, PIDX, TNFRSF14B, TACI); Inflammation (IL-10, IL-1 (IL-1a, IL-1b), IL-13, IL-17 (IL-17a (CTLA8), IL-17b, IL-17c, IL-17d, IL-17f), II-23, Cx3cr1, ptpn22, TNFa, NOD2/CARD15 for IBD, IL-6, IL-12 (IL-12a, IL-12b), CTLA4, Cx3cl1); Severe combined immunodeficiencies (SCIDs)(JAK3, JAKL, DCLRE1C, ARTEMIS, SCIDA, RAG1, RAG2, ADA, PTPRC, CD45, LCA, IL7R, CD3D, T3D, IL2RG, SCIDX1, SCIDX, IMD4). Metabolic, liver, Amyloid neuropathy (TTR, PALB); Amyloidosis (APOA1, APP, AAA, kidney and protein CVAP, AD1, GSN, FGA, LYZ, TTR, PALB); Cirrhosis (KRT18, KRT8, diseases and disorders CIRH1A, NAIC, TEX292, KIAA1988); Cystic fibrosis (CFTR, ABCC7, CF, MRP7); Glycogen storage diseases (SLC2A2, GLUT2, G6PC, G6PT, G6PT1, GAA, LAMP2, LAMPB, AGL, GDE, GBE1, GYS2, PYGL, PFKM); Hepatic adenoma, 142330 (TCF1, HNF1A, MODY3), Hepatic failure, early onset, and neurologic disorder (SCOD1, SCO1), Hepatic lipase deficiency (LIPC), Hepatoblastoma, cancer and carcinomas (CTNNB1, PDGFRL, PDGRL, PRLTS, AXIN1, AXIN, CTNNB1, TP53, P53, LFS1, IGF2R, MPRI, MET, CASP8, MCH5; Medullary cystic kidney disease (UMOD, HNFJ, FJHN, MCKD2, ADMCKD2); Phenylketonuria (PAH, PKU1, QDPR, DHPR, PTS); Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease (FCYT, PKHD1, ARPKD, PKD1, PKD2, PKD4, PKDTS, PRKCSH, G19P1, PCLD, SEC63). Muscular/Skeletal Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD, BMD, MYF6), Duchenne Muscular diseases and disorders Dystrophy (DMD, BMD); Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (LMNA, LMN1, EMD2, FPLD, CMD1A, HGPS, LGMD1B, LMNA, LMN1, EMD2, FPLD, CMD1A); Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHMD1A, FSHD1A); Muscular dystrophy (FKRP, MDC1C, LGMD2I, LAMA2, LAMM, LARGE, KIAA0609, MDC1D, FCMD, TTID, MYOT, CAPN3, CANP3, DYSF, LGMD2B, SGCG, LGMD2C, DMDA1, SCG3, SGCA, ADL, DAG2, LGMD2D, DMDA2, SGCB, LGMD2E, SGCD, SGD, LGMD2F, CMD1L, TCAP, LGMD2G, CMD1N, TRIM32, HT2A, LGMD2H, FKRP, MDC1C, LGMD2I, TTN, CMD1G, TMD, LGMD2J, POMT1, CAV3, LGMD1C, SEPN1, SELN, RSMD1, PLEC1, PLTN, EBS1); Osteopetrosis (LRP5, BMND1, LRP7, LR3, OPPG, VBCH2, CLCN7, CLC7, OPTA2, OSTM1, GL, TCIRG1, TIRC7, OC116, OPTB1); Muscular atrophy (VAPB, VAPC, ALS8, SMN1, SMA1, SMA2, SMA3, SMA4, BSCL2, SPG17, GARS, SMAD1, CMT2D, HEXB, IGHMBP2, SMUBP2, CATF1, SMARD1). Neurological and ALS (SOD1, ALS2, STEX, FUS, TARDBP, VEGF (VEGF-a, VEGF-b, neuronal diseases VEGF-c); Alzheimer disease (APP, AAA, CVAP, AD1, APOE, AD2, and disorders PSEN2, AD4, STM2, APBB2, FE65L1, NOS3, PLAU, URK, ACE, DCP1, ACE1, MPO, PACIP1, PAXIP1L, PTIP, A2M, BLMH, BMH, PSEN1, AD3); Autism (Mecp2, BZRAP1, MDGA2, Sema5A, Neurexin 1, GLO1, MECP2, RTT, PPMX, MRX16, MRX79, NLGN3, NLGN4, KIAA1260, AUTSX2); Fragile X Syndrome (FMR2, FXR1, FXR2, mGLUR5); Huntington's disease and disease like disorders (HD, IT15, PRNP, PRIP, JPH3, JP3, HDL2, TBP, SCA17); Parkinson disease (NR4A2, NURR1, NOT, TINUR, SNCAIP, TBP, SCA17, SNCA, NACP, PARK1, PARK4, DJ1, PARK7, LRRK2, PARK8, PINK1, PARK6, UCHL1, PARK5, SNCA, NACP, PARK1, PARK4, PRKN, PARK2, PDJ, DBH, NDUFV2); Rett syndrome (MECP2, RTT, PPMX, MRX16, MRX79, CDKL5, STK9, MECP2, RTT, PPMX, MRX16, MRX79, x-Synuclein, DJ-1); Schizophrenia (Neuregulin1 (Nrg1), Erb4 (receptor for Neuregulin), Complexin1 (Cplx1), Tph1 Tryptophan hydroxylase, Tph2, Tryptophan hydroxylase 2, Neurexin 1, GSK3, GSK3a, GSK3b, 5-HTT (Slc6a4), COMT, DRD (Drd1a), SLC6A3, DAOA, DTNBP1, Dao (Dao1)); Secretase Related Disorders (APH-1 (alpha and beta), Presenilin (Psen1), nicastrin, (Ncstn), PEN-2, Nos1, Parp1, Nat1, Nat2); Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders (HTT (Huntington's Dx), SBMA/SMAX1/AR (Kennedy's Dx), FXN/X25 (Friedrich's Ataxia), ATX3 (Machado- Joseph's Dx), ATXN1 and ATXN2 (spinocerebellar ataxias), DMPK (myotonic dystrophy), Atrophin-1 and Atn1 (DRPLA Dx), CBP (Creb-BP - global instability), VLDLR (Alzheimer's), Atxn7, Atxn10). Occular diseases Age-related macular degeneration (Abcr, Ccl2, Cc2, cp (ceruloplasmin), and disorders Timp3, cathepsinD, Vldlr, Ccr2); Cataract (CRYAA, CRYA1, CRYBB2, CRYB2, PITX3, BFSP2, CP49, CP47, CRYAA, CRYA1, PAX6, AN2, MGDA, CRYBA1, CRYB1, CRYGC, CRYG3, CCL, LIM2, MP19, CRYGD, CRYG4, BFSP2, CP49, CP47, HSF4, CTM, HSF4, CTM, MIP, AQP0, CRYAB, CRYA2, CTPP2, CRYBB1, CRYGD, CRYG4, CRYBB2, CRYB2, CRYGC, CRYG3, CCL, CRYAA, CRYA1, GJA8, CX50, CAE1, GJA3, CX46, CZP3, CAE3, CCM1, CAM, KRIT1); Corneal clouding and dystrophy (APOA1, TGFBI, CSD2, CDGG1, CSD, BIGH3, CDG2, TACSTD2, TROP2, M1S1, VSX1, RINX, PPCD, PPD, KTCN, COL8A2, FECD, PPCD2, PIP5K3, CFD); Cornea plana congenital (KERA, CNA2); Glaucoma (MYOC, TIGR, GLC1A, JOAG, GPOA, OPTN, GLC1E, FIP2, HYPL, NRP, CYP1B1, GLC3A, OPA1, NTG, NPG, CYP1B1, GLC3A); Leber congenital amaurosis (CRB1, RP12, CRX, CORD2, CRD, RPGRIP1, LCA6, CORD9, RPE65, RP20, AIPL1, LCA4, GUCY2D, GUC2D, LCA1, CORD6, RDH12, LCA3); Macular dystrophy (ELOVL4, ADMD, STGD2, STGD3, RDS, RP7, PRPH2, PRPH, AVMD, AOFMD, VMD2).

TABLE 9 CELLULAR FUNCTION GENES PI3K/AKT Signaling PRKCE; ITGAM; ITGA5; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; PTEN; EIF4E; PRKCZ; GRK6; MAPK1; TSC1; PLK1; AKT2; IKBKB; PIK3CA; CDK8; CDKN1B; NFKB2; BCL2; PIK3CB; PPP2R1A; MAPK8; BCL2L1; MAPK3; TSC2; ITGA1; KRAS; EIF4EBP1; RELA; PRKCD; NOS3; PRKAA1; MAPK9; CDK2; PPP2CA; PIM1; ITGB7; YWHAZ; ILK; TP53; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; DYRK1A; CDKN1A; ITGB1; MAP2K2; JAK1; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; CHUK; PDPK1; PPP2R5C; CTNNB1; MAP2K1; NFKB1; PAK3; ITGB3; CCND1; GSK3A; FRAP1; SFN; ITGA2; TTK; CSNK1A1; BRAF; GSK3B; AKT3; FOXO1; SGK; HSP90AA1; RPS6KB1 ERK/MAPK Signaling PRKCE; ITGAM; ITGA5; HSPB1; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; RAC1; RAP1A; TLN1; EIF4E; ELK1; GRK6; MAPK1; RAC2; PLK1; AKT2; PIK3CA; CDK8; CREB1; PRKCI; PTK2; FOS; RPS6KA4; PIK3CB; PPP2R1A; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; ITGA1; ETS1; KRAS; MYCN; EIF4EBP1; PPARG; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; SRC; CDK2; PPP2CA; PIM1; PIK3C2A; ITGB7; YWHAZ; PPP1CC; KSR1; PXN; RAF1; FYN; DYRK1A; ITGB1; MAP2K2; PAK4; PIK3R1; STAT3; PPP2R5C; MAP2K1; PAK3; ITGB3; ESR1; ITGA2; MYC; TTK; CSNK1A1; CRKL; BRAF; ATF4; PRKCA; SRF; STAT1; SGK Glucocorticoid Receptor RAC1; TAF4B; EP300; SMAD2; TRAF6; PCAF; ELK1; Signaling MAPK1; SMAD3; AKT2; IKBKB; NCOR2; UBE2I; PIK3CA; CREB1; FOS; HSPA5; NFKB2; BCL2; MAP3K14; STAT5B; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; BCL2L1; MAPK3; TSC22D3; MAPK10; NRIP1; KRAS; MAPK13; RELA; STAT5A; MAPK9; NOS2A; PBX1; NR3C1; PIK3C2A; CDKN1C; TRAF2; SERPINE1; NCOA3; MAPK14; TNF; RAF1; IKBKG; MAP3K7; CREBBP; CDKN1A; MAP2K2; JAK1; IL8; NCOA2; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; CHUK; STAT3; MAP2K1; NFKB1; TGFBR1; ESR1; SMAD4; CEBPB; JUN; AR; AKT3; CCL2; MMP1; STAT1; IL6; HSP90AA1 Axonal Guidance PRKCE; ITGAM; ROCK1; ITGA5; CXCR4; ADAM12; Signaling IGF1; RAC1; RAP1A; E1F4E; PRKCZ; NRP1; NTRK2; ARHGEF7; SMO; ROCK2; MAPK1; PGF; RAC2; PTPN11; GNAS; AKT2; PIK3CA; ERBB2; PRKCI; PTK2; CFL1; GNAQ; PIK3CB; CXCL12; PIK3C3; WNT11; PRKD1; GNB2L1; ABL1; MAPK3; ITGA1; KRAS; RHOA; PRKCD; PIK3C2A; ITGB7; GLI2; PXN; VASP; RAF1; FYN; ITGB1; MAP2K2; PAK4; ADAM17; AKT1; PIK3R1; GLI1; WNT5A; ADAM10; MAP2K1; PAK3; ITGB3; CDC42; VEGFA; ITGA2; EPHA8; CRKL; RND1; GSK3B; AKT3; PRKCA Ephrin Receptor PRKCE; ITGAM; ROCK1; ITGA5; CXCR4; IRAK1; Signaling PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; RAC1; RAP1A; GRK6; ROCK2; MAPK1; PGF; RAC2; PTPN11; GNAS; PLK1; AKT2; DOK1; CDK8; CREB1; PTK2; CFL1; GNAQ; MAP3K14; CXCL12; MAPK8; GNB2L1; ABL1; MAPK3; ITGA1; KRAS; RHOA; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; SRC; CDK2; PIM1; ITGB7; PXN; RAF1; FYN; DYRK1A; ITGB1; MAP2K2; PAK4, AKT1; JAK2; STAT3; ADAM10; MAP2K1; PAK3; ITGB3; CDC42; VEGFA; ITGA2; EPHA8; TTK; CSNK1A1; CRKL; BRAF; PTPN13; ATF4; AKT3; SGK Actin Cytoskeleton ACTN4; PRKCE; ITGAM; ROCK1; ITGA5; IRAK1; Signaling PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; RAC1; INS; ARHGEF7; GRK6; ROCK2; MAPK1; RAC2; PLK1; AKT2; PIK3CA; CDK8; PTK2; CFL1; PIK3CB; MYH9; DIAPH1; PIK3C3; MAPK8; F2R; MAPK3; SLC9A1; ITGA1; KRAS; RHOA; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; CDK2; PIM1; PIK3C2A; ITGB7; PPP1CC; PXN; VIL2; RAF1; GSN; DYRK1A; ITGB1; MAP2K2; PAK4; PIP5K1A; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; PAK3; ITGB3; CDC42; APC; ITGA2; TTK; CSNK1A1; CRKL; BRAF; VAV3; SGK Huntington's Disease PRKCE; IGF1; EP300; RCOR1; PRKCZ; HDAC4; TGM2; Signaling MAPK1; CAPNS1; AKT2; EGFR; NCOR2; SP1; CAPN2; PIK3CA; HDAC5; CREB1; PRKC1; HSPA5; REST; GNAQ; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; IGF1R; PRKD1; GNB2L1; BCL2L1; CAPN1; MAPK3; CASP8; HDAC2; HDAC7A; PRKCD; HDAC11; MAPK9; HDAC9; PIK3C2A; HDAC3; TP53; CASP9; CREBBP; AKT1; PIK3R1; PDPK1; CASP1; APAF1; FRAP1; CASP2; JUN; BAX; ATF4; AKT3; PRKCA; CLTC; SGK; HDAC6; CASP3 Apoptosis Signaling PRKCE; ROCK1; BID; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; BAK1; BIRC4; GRK6; MAPK1; CAPNS1; PLK1; AKT2; IKBKB; CAPN2; CDK8; FAS; NFKB2; BCL2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; BCL2L1; CAPN1; MAPK3; CASP8; KRAS; RELA; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; CDK2; PIM1; TP53; TNF; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; CASP9; DYRK1A; MAP2K2; CHUK; APAF1; MAP2K1; NFKB1; PAK3; LMNA; CASP2; BIRC2; TTK; CSNK1A1; BRAF; BAX; PRKCA; SGK; CASP3; BIRC3; PARP1 B Cell Receptor RAC1; PTEN; LYN; ELK1; MAPK1; RAC2; PTPN11; Signaling AKT2; IKBKB; PIK3CA; CREB1; SYK; NFKB2; CAMK2A; MAP3K14; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; BCL2L1; ABL1; MAPK3; ETS1; KRAS; MAPK13; RELA; PTPN6; MAPK9; EGR1; PIK3C2A; BTK; MAPK14; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; CHUK; MAP2K1; NFKB1; CDC42; GSK3A; FRAP1; BCL6; BCL10; JUN; GSK3B; ATF4; AKT3; VAV3; RPS6KB1 Leukocyte Extravasation ACTN4; CD44; PRKCE; ITGAM; ROCK1; CXCR4; CYBA; Signaling RAC1; RAP1A; PRKCZ; ROCK2; RAC2; PTPN11; MMP14; PIK3CA; PRKCI; PTK2; PIK3CB; CXCL12; PIK3C3; MAPK8; PRKD1; ABL1; MAPK10; CYBB; MAPK13; RHOA; PRKCD; MAPK9; SRC; PIK3C2A; BTK; MAPK14; NOX1; PXN; VIL2; VASP; ITGB1; MAP2K2; CTNND1; PIK3R1; CTNNB1; CLDN1; CDC42; F11R; ITK; CRKL; VAV3; CTTN; PRKCA; MMP1; MMP9 Integrin Signaling ACTN4; ITGAM; ROCK1; ITGA5; RAC1; PTEN; RAP1A; TLN1; ARHGEF7; MAPK1; RAC2; CAPNS1; AKT2; CAPN2; PIK3CA; PTK2; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; CAV1; CAPN1; ABL1; MAPK3; ITGA1; KRAS; RHOA; SRC; PIK3C2A; ITGB7; PPP1CC; ILK; PXN; VASP; RAF1; FYN; ITGB1; MAP2K2; PAK4; AKT1; PIK3R1; TNK2; MAP2K1; PAK3; ITGB3; CDC42; RND3; ITGA2; CRKL; BRAF; GSK3B; AKT3 Acute Phase Response IRAK1; SOD2; MYD88; TRAF6; ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; Signaling AKT2; IKBKB; PIK3CA; FOS; NFKB2; MAP3K14; PIK3CB; MAPK8; RIPK1; MAPK3; IL6ST; KRAS; MAPK13; IL6R; RELA; SOCS1; MAPK9; FTL; NR3C1; TRAF2; SERPINE1; MAPK14; TNF; RAF1; PDK1; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; MAP2K2; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; CHUK; STAT3; MAP2K1; NFKB1; FRAP1; CEBPB; JUN; AKT3; IL1R1; IL6 PTEN Signaling ITGAM; ITGA5; RAC1; PTEN; PRKCZ; BCL2L11; MAPK1; RAC2; AKT2; EGFR; IKBKB; CBL; PIK3CA; CDKN1B; PTK2; NFKB2; BCL2; PIK3CB; BCL2L1; MAPK3; ITGA1; KRAS; ITGB7; ILK; PDGFRB; INSR; RAF1; IKBKG; CASP9; CDKN1A; ITGB1; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; CHUK; PDGFRA; PDPK1; MAP2K1; NFKB1; ITGB3; CDC42; CCND1; GSK3A; ITGA2; GSK3B; AKT3; FOXO1; CASP3; RPS6KB1 p53 Signaling PTEN; EP300; BBC3; PCAF; FASN; BRCA1; GADD45A; BIRC5; AKT2; PIK3CA; CHEK1; TP53INP1; BCL2; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; THBS1; ATR; BCL2L1; E2F1; PMAIP1; CHEK2; TNFRSF10B; TP73; RB1; HDAC9; CDK2; PIK3C2A; MAPK14; TP53; LRDD; CDKN1A; HIPK2; AKT1; PIK3R1; RRM2B; APAF1; CTNNB1; SIRT1; CCND1; PRKDC; ATM; SFN; CDKN2A; JUN; SNAI2; GSK3B; BAX; AKT3 Aryl Hydrocarbon HSPB1; EP300; FASN; TGM2; RXRA; MAPK1; NQO1; Receptor NCOR2; SP1; ARNT; CDKN1B; FOS; CHEK1; Signaling SMARCA4; NFKB2; MAPK8; ALDH1A1; ATR; E2F1; MAPK3; NRIP1; CHEK2; RELA; TP73; GSTP1; RB1; SRC; CDK2; AHR; NFE2L2; NCOA3; TP53; TNF; CDKN1A; NCOA2; APAF1; NFKB1; CCND1; ATM; ESR1; CDKN2A; MYC; JUN; ESR2; BAX; IL6; CYP1B1; HSP90AA1 Xenobiotic Metabolism PRKCE; EP300; PRKCZ; RXRA; MAPK1; NQO1; Signaling NCOR2; PIK3CA; ARNT; PRKCI; NFKB2; CAMK2A; PIK3CB; PPP2R1A; PIK3C3; MAPK8; PRKD1; ALDH1A1; MAPK3; NRIP1; KRAS; MAPK13; PRKCD; GSTP1; MAPK9; NOS2A; ABCB1; AHR; PPP2CA; FTL; NFE2L2; PIK3C2A; PPARGC1A; MAPK14; TNF; RAF1; CREBBP; MAP2K2; PIK3R1; PPP2R5C; MAP2K1; NFKB1; KEAP1; PRKCA; EIF2AK3; IL6; CYP1B1; HSP90AA1 SAPK/JNK Signaling PRKCE; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; RAC1; ELK1; GRK6; MAPK1; GADD45A; RAC2; PLK1; AKT2; PIK3CA; FADD; CDK8; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; RIPK1; GNB2L1; IRS1; MAPK3; MAPK10; DAXX; KRAS; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; CDK2; PIM1; PIK3C2A; TRAF2; TP53; LCK; MAP3K7; DYRK1A; MAP2K2; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; PAK3; CDC42; JUN; TTK; CSNK1A1; CRKL; BRAF; SGK PPAr/RXR Signaling PRKAA2; EP300; INS; SMAD2; TRAF6; PPARA; FASN; RXRA; MAPK1; SMAD3; GNAS; IKBKB; NCOR2; ABCA1; GNAQ; NFKB2; MAP3K14; STAT5B; MAPK8; IRS1; MAPK3; KRAS; RELA; PRKAA1; PPARGC1A; NCOA3; MAPK14; INSR; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; CREBBP; MAP2K2; JAK2; CHUK; MAP2K1; NFKB1; TGFBR1; SMAD4; JUN; IL1R1; PRKCA; IL6; HSP90AA1; ADIPOQ NF-KB Signaling IRAK1; EIF2AK2; EP300; INS; MYD88; PRKCZ; TRAF6; TBK1; AKT2; EGFR; IKBKB; PIK3CA; BTRC; NFKB2; MAP3K14; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; RIPK1; HDAC2; KRAS; RELA; PIK3C2A; TRAF2; TLR4; PDGFRB; TNF; INSR; LCK; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; CREBBP; AKT1; PIK3R1; CHUK; PDGFRA; NFKB1; TLR2; BCL10; GSK3B; AKT3; TNFAIP3; IL1R1 Neuregulin Signaling ERBB4; PRKCE; ITGAM; ITGA5; PTEN; PRKCZ; ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; AKT2; EGFR; ERBB2; PRKCI; CDKN1B; STAT5B; PRKD1; MAPK3; ITGA1; KRAS; PRKCD; STAT5A; SRC; ITGB7; RAF1; ITGB1; MAP2K2; ADAM17; AKT1; PIK3R1; PDPK1; MAP2K1; ITGB3; EREG; FRAP1; PSEN1; ITGA2; MYC; NRG1; CRKL; AKT3; PRKCA; HSP90AA1; RPS6KB1 Wnt & Beta catenin CD44; EP300; LRP6; DVL3; CSNK1E; GJA1; SMO; Signaling AKT2; PIN1; CDH1; BTRC; GNAQ; MARK2; PPP2R1A; WNT11; SRC; DKK1; PPP2CA; SOX6; SFRP2; ILK; LEF1; SOX9; TP53; MAP3K7; CREBBP; TCF7L2; AKT1; PPP2R5C; WNT5A; LRP5; CTNNB1; TGFBR1; CCND1; GSK3A; DVL1; APC; CDKN2A; MYC; CSNK1A1; GSK3B; AKT3; SOX2 Insulin Receptor PTEN; INS; EIF4E; PTPN1; PRKCZ; MAPK1; TSC1; Signaling PTPN11; AKT2; CBL; PIK3CA; PRKCI; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; IRS1; MAPK3; TSC2; KRAS; EIF4EBP1; SLC2A4; PIK3C2A; PPP1CC; INSR; RAF1; FYN; MAP2K2; JAK1; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; PDPK1; MAP2K1; GSK3A; FRAP1; CRKL; GSK3B; AKT3; FOXO1; SGK; RPS6KB1 IL-6 Signaling HSPB1; TRAF6; MAPKAPK2; ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; IKBKB; FOS; NFKB2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; MAPK3; MAPK10; IL6ST; KRAS; MAPK13; IL6R; RELA; SOCS1; MAPK9; ABCB1; TRAF2; MAPK14; TNF; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; MAP2K2; IL8; JAK2; CHUK; STAT3; MAP2K1; NFKB1; CEBPB; JUN; IL1R1; SRF; IL6 Hepatic Cholestasis PRKCE; IRAK1; INS; MYD88; PRKCZ; TRAF6; PPARA; RXRA; IKBKB; PRKCI; NFKB2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; PRKD1; MAPK10; RELA; PRKCD; MAPK9; ABCB1; TRAF2; TLR4; TNF; INSR; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; IL8; CHUK; NR1H2; TJP2; NFKB1; ESR1; SREBF1; FGFR4; JUN; IL1R1; PRKCA; IL6 IGF-1 Signaling IGF1; PRKCZ; ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; NEDD4; AKT2; PIK3CA; PRKCI; PTK2; FOS; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; IGF1R; IRS1; MAPK3; IGFBP7; KRAS; PIK3C2A; YWHAZ; PXN; RAF1; CASP9; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; PDPK1; MAP2K1; IGFBP2; SFN; JUN; CYR61; AKT3; FOXO1; SRF; CTGF; RPS6KB1 NRF2-mediated PRKCE; EP300; SOD2; PRKCZ; MAPK1; SQSTM1; Oxidative NQO1; PIK3CA; PRKCI; FOS; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; Stress Response PRKD1; MAPK3; KRAS; PRKCD; GSTP1; MAPK9; FTL; NFE2L2; PIK3C2A; MAPK14; RAF1; MAP3K7; CREBBP; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; PPIB; JUN; KEAP1; GSK3B; ATF4; PRKCA; EIF2AK3; HSP90AA1 Hepatic Fibrosis/Hepatic EDN1; IGF1; KDR; FLT1; SMAD2; FGFR1; MET; PGF; Stellate Cell Activation SMAD3; EGFR; FAS; CSF1; NFKB2; BCL2; MYH9; IGF1R; IL6R; RELA; TLR4; PDGFRB; TNF; RELB; IL8; PDGFRA; NFKB1; TGFBR1; SMAD4; VEGFA; BAX; IL1R1; CCL2; HGF; MMP1; STAT1; IL6; CTGF; MMP9 PPAR Signaling EP300; INS; TRAF6; PPARA; RXRA; MAPK1; IKBKB; NCOR2; FOS; NFKB2; MAP3K14; STAT5B; MAPK3; NRIP1; KRAS; PPARG; RELA; STAT5A; TRAF2; PPARGC1A; PDGFRB; TNF; INSR; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; CREBBP; MAP2K2; CHUK; PDGFRA; MAP2K1; NFKB1; JUN; IL1R1; HSP90AA1 Fc Epsilon RI Signaling PRKCE; RAC1; PRKCZ; LYN; MAPK1; RAC2; PTPN11; AKT2; PIK3CA; SYK; PRKCI; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; PRKD1; MAPK3; MAPK10; KRAS; MAPK13; PRKCD; MAPK9; PIK3C2A; BTK; MAPK14; TNF; RAF1; FYN; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; PDPK1; MAP2K1; AKT3; VAV3; PRKCA G-Protein Coupled PRKCE; RAP1A; RGS16; MAPK1; GNAS; AKT2; IKBKB; Receptor Signaling PIK3CA; CREB1; GNAQ; NFKB2; CAMK2A; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK3; KRAS; RELA; SRC; PIK3C2A; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB; FYN; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; CHUK; PDPK1; STAT3; MAP2K1; NFKB1; BRAF; ATF4; AKT3; PRKCA Inositol Phosphate PRKCE; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; PTEN; GRK6; Metabolism MAPK1; PLK1; AKT2; PIK3CA; CDK8; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; PRKCD; PRKAA1; MAPK9; CDK2; PIM1; PIK3C2A; DYRK1A; MAP2K2; PIP5K1A; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; PAK3; ATM; TTK; CSNK1A1; BRAF; SGK PDGF Signaling EIF2AK2; ELK1; ABL2; MAPK1; PIK3CA; FOS; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; CAV1; ABL1; MAPK3; KRAS; SRC; PIK3C2A; PDGFRB; RAF1; MAP2K2; JAK1; JAK2; PIK3R1; PDGFRA; STAT3; SPHK1; MAP2K1; MYC; JUN; CRKL; PRKCA; SRF; STAT1; SPHK2 VEGF Signaling ACTN4; ROCK1; KDR; FLT1; ROCK2; MAPK1; PGF; AKT2; PIK3CA; ARNT; PTK2; BCL2; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; BCL2L1; MAPK3; KRAS; HIF1A; NOS3; PIK3C2A; PXN; RAF1; MAP2K2; ELAVL1; AKT1; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; SFN; VEGFA; AKT3; FOXO1; PRKCA Natural Killer Cell PRKCE; RAC1; PRKCZ; MAPK1; RAC2; PTPN11; Signaling KIR2DL3; AKT2; PIK3CA; SYK; PRKCI; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; PRKD1; MAPK3; KRAS; PRKCD; PTPN6; PIK3C2A; LCK; RAF1; FYN; MAP2K2; PAK4; AKT1; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; PAK3; AKT3; VAV3; PRKCA Cell Cycle: G1/S HDAC4; SMAD3; SUV39H1; HDAC5; CDKN1B; BTRC; Checkpoint Regulation ATR; ABL1; E2F1; HDAC2; HDAC7A; RB1; HDAC11; HDAC9; CDK2; E2F2; HDAC3; TP53; CDKN1A; CCND1; E2F4; ATM; RBL2; SMAD4; CDKN2A; MYC; NRG1; GSK3B; RBL1; HDAC6 T Cell Receptor RAC1; ELK1; MAPK1; IKBKB; CBL; PIK3CA; FOS; Signaling NFKB2; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; KRAS; RELA, PIK3C2A; BTK; LCK; RAF1; IKBKG; RELB, FYN; MAP2K2; PIK3R1; CHUK; MAP2K1; NFKB1; ITK; BCL10; JUN; VAV3 Death Receptor Signaling CRADD; HSPB1; BID; BIRC4; TBK1; IKBKB; FADD; FAS; NFKB2; BCL2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; RIPK1; CASP8; DAXX; TNFRSF10B; RELA; TRAF2; TNF; IKBKG; RELB; CASP9; CHUK; APAF1; NFKB1; CASP2; BIRC2; CASP3; BIRC3 FGF Signaling RAC1; FGFR1; MET; MAPKAPK2; MAPK1; PTPN11; AKT2; PIK3CA; CREB1; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; MAPK13; PTPN6; PIK3C2A; MAPK14; RAF1; AKT1; PIK3R1; STAT3; MAP2K1; FGFR4; CRKL; ATF4; AKT3; PRKCA; HGF GM-CSF Signaling LYN; ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; AKT2; PIK3CA; CAMK2A; STAT5B; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; GNB2L1; BCL2L1; MAPK3; ETS1; KRAS; RUNX1; PIM1; PIK3C2A; RAF1; MAP2K2; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; STAT3; MAP2K1; CCND1; AKT3; STAT1 Amyotrophic Lateral BID; IGF1; RAC1; BIRC4; PGF; CAPNS1; CAPN2; Sclerosis Signaling PIK3CA; BCL2; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; BCL2L1; CAPN1; PIK3C2A; TP53; CASP9; PIK3R1; RAB5A; CASP1; APAF1; VEGFA; BIRC2; BAX; AKT3; CASP3; BIRC3 JAK/Stat Signaling PTPN1; MAPK1; PTPN11; AKT2; PIK3CA; STAT5B; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK3; KRAS; SOCS1; STAT5A; PTPN6; PIK3C2A; RAF1; CDKN1A; MAP2K2; JAK1; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; STAT3; MAP2K1; FRAP1; AKT3; STAT1 Nicotinate and PRKCE; IRAK1; PRKAA2; EIF2AK2; GRK6; MAPK1; Nicotinamide PLK1; AKT2; CDK8; MAPK8; MAPK3; PRKCD; PRKAA1; Metabolism PBEF1; MAPK9; CDK2; PIM1; DYRK1A; MAP2K2; MAP2K1; PAK3; NT5E; TTK; CSNK1A1; BRAF; SGK Chemokine Signaling CXCR4; ROCK2; MAPK1; PTK2; FOS; CFL1; GNAQ; CAMK2A; CXCL12; MAPK8; MAPK3; KRAS; MAPK13; RHOA; CCR3; SRC; PPP1CC; MAPK14; NOX1; RAF1; MAP2K2; MAP2K1; JUN; CCL2; PRKCA IL-2 Signaling ELK1; MAPK1; PTPN11; AKT2; PIK3CA; SYK; FOS; STAT5B; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; KRAS; SOCS1; STAT5A; PIK3C2A; LCK; RAF1; MAP2K2; JAK1; AKT1; PIK3R1; MAP2K1; JUN; AKT3 Synaptic Long Term PRKCE; IGF1; PRKCZ; PRDX6; LYN; MAPK1; GNAS; Depression PRKCI; GNAQ; PPP2R1A; IGF1R; PRKD1; MAPK3; KRAS; GRN; PRKCD; NOS3; NOS2A; PPP2CA; YWHAZ; RAF1; MAP2K2; PPP2R5C; MAP2K1; PRKCA Estrogen Receptor TAF4B; EP300; CARM1; PCAF; MAPK1; NCOR2; Signaling SMARCA4; MAPK3; NRIP1; KRAS; SRC; NR3C1; HDAC3; PPARGC1A; RBM9; NCOA3; RAF1; CREBBP; MAP2K2; NCOA2; MAP2K1; PRKDC; ESR1; ESR2 Protein Ubiquitination TRAF6; SMURF1; BIRC4; BRCA1; UCHL1; NEDD4; Pathway CBL; UBE2I; BTRC; HSPA5; USP7; USP10; FBXW7; USP9X; STUB1; USP22; B2M; BIRC2; PARK2; USP8; USP1; VHL; HSP90AA1; BIRC3 IL-10 Signaling TRAF6; CCR1; ELK1; IKBKB; SP1; FOS; NFKB2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; MAPK13; RELA; MAPK14; TNF; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; JAK1; CHUK; STAT3; NFKB1; JUN; IL1R1; IL6 VDR/RXR Activation PRKCE; EP300; PRKCZ; RXRA; GADD45A; HES1; NCOR2; SP1; PRKC1; CDKN1B; PRKD1; PRKCD; RUNX2; KLF4; YY1; NCOA3; CDKN1A; NCOA2; SPP1; LRP5; CEBPB; FOXO1; PRKCA TGF-beta Signaling EP300; SMAD2; SMURF1; MAPK1; SMAD3; SMAD1; FOS; MAPK8; MAPK3; KRAS; MAPK9; RUNX2; SERPINE1; RAF1; MAP3K7; CREBBP; MAP2K2; MAP2K1; TGFBR1; SMAD4; JUN; SMAD5 Toll-like Receptor IRAK1; EIF2AK2; MYD88; TRAF6; PPARA; ELK1; Signaling IKBKB; FOS; NFKB2; MAP3K14; MAPK8; MAPK13; RELA; TLR4; MAPK14; IKBKG; RELB; MAP3K7; CHUK; NFKB1; TLR2; JUN p38 MAPK Signaling HSPB1; IRAK1; TRAF6; MAPKAPK2; ELK1; FADD; FAS; CREB1; DDIT3; RPS6KA4; DAXX; MAPK13; TRAF2; MAPK14; TNF; MAP3K7; TGFBR1; MYC; ATF4; IL1R1; SRF; STAT1 Neurotrophin/TRK NTRK2; MAPK1; PTPN11; PIK3CA; CREB1; FOS; Signaling PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; KRAS; PIK3C2A; RAF1; MAP2K2; AKT1; PIK3R1; PDPK1; MAP2K1; CDC42; JUN; ATF4 FXR/RXR Activation INS; PPARA; FASN; RXRA; AKT2; SDC1; MAPK8; APOB; MAPK10; PPARG; MTTP; MAPK9; PPARGC1A; TNF; CREBBP; AKT1; SREBF1; FGFR4; AKT3; FOXO1 Synaptic Long Term PRKCE; RAP1A; EP300; PRKCZ; MAPK1; CREB1; Potentiation PRKCI; GNAQ; CAMK2A; PRKD1; MAPK3; KRAS; PRKCD; PPP1CC; RAF1; CREBBP; MAP2K2; MAP2K1; ATF4; PRKCA Calcium Signaling RAP1A; EP300; HDAC4; MAPK1; HDAC5; CREB1; CAMK2A; MYH9; MAPK3; HDAC2; HDAC7A; HDAC11; HDAC9; HDAC3; CREBBP; CALR; CAMKK2; ATF4; HDAC6 EGF Signaling ELK1; MAPK1; EGFR; PIK3CA; FOS; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; MAPK8; MAPK3; PIK3C2A; RAF1; JAK1; PIK3R1; STAT3; MAP2K1; JUN; PRKCA; SRF; STAT1 Hypoxia Signaling in the EDN1; PTEN; EP300; NQO1; UBE2I; CREB1; ARNT; Cardiovascular System HIF1A; SLC2A4; NOS3; TP53; LDHA; AKT1; ATM; VEGFA; JUN; ATF4; VHL; HSP90AA1 LPS/IL-1 Mediated IRAK1; MYD88; TRAF6; PPARA; RXRA; ABCA1, Inhibition MAPK8; ALDH1A1; GSTP1; MAPK9; ABCB1; TRAF2; of RXR Function TLR4; TNF; MAP3K7; NR1H2; SREBF1; JUN; IL1R1 LXR/RXR Activation FASN; RXRA; NCOR2; ABCA1; NFKB2; IRF3; RELA; NOS2A; TLR4; TNF; RELB; LDLR; NR1H2; NFKB1; SREBF1; IL1R1; CCL2; IL6; MMP9 Amyloid Processing PRKCE; CSNK1E; MAPK1; CAPNS1; AKT2; CAPN2; CAPN1; MAPK3; MAPK13; MAPT; MAPK14; AKT1; PSEN1; CSNK1A1; GSK3B; AKT3; APP IL-4 Signaling AKT2; PIK3CA; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; IRS1; KRAS; SOCS1; PTPN6; NR3C1; PIK3C2A; JAK1; AKT1; JAK2; PIK3R1; FRAP1; AKT3; RPS6KB1 Cell Cycle: G2/M DNA EP300; PCAF; BRCA1; GADD45A; PLK1; BTRC; Damage Checkpoint CHEK1; ATR; CHEK2; YWHAZ; TP53; CDKN1A; Regulation PRKDC; ATM; SFN; CDKN2A Nitric Oxide Signaling in KDR; FLT1; PGF; AKT2; PIK3CA; PIK3CB; PIK3C3; the Cardiovascular System CAV1; PRKCD; NOS3; PIK3C2A; AKT1; PIK3R1; VEGFA; AKT3; HSP90AA1 Purine Metabolism NME2; SMARCA4; MYH9; RRM2; ADAR; EIF2AK4; PKM2; ENTPD1; RAD51; RRM2B; TJP2; RAD51C; NT5E; POLD1; NME1 cAMP-mediated RAP1A; MAPK1; GNAS; CREB1; CAMK2A; MAPK3; Signaling SRC; RAF1; MAP2K2; STAT3; MAP2K1; BRAF; ATF4 Mitochondrial SOD2; MAPK8; CASP8; MAPK10; MAPK9; CASP9; Dysfunction PARK7; PSEN1; PARK2; APP; CASP3 Notch Signaling HES1; JAG1; NUMB; NOTCH4; ADAM17; NOTCH2; PSEN1; NOTCH3; NOTCH1; DLL4 Endoplasmic Reticulum HSPA5; MAPK8; XBP1; TRAF2; ATF6; CASP9; ATF4; Stress Pathway EIF2AK3; CASP3 Pyrimidine Metabolism NME2; AICDA; RRM2; EIF2AK4; ENTPD1; RRM2B; NT5E; POLD1; NME1 Parkinson's Signaling UCHL1; MAPK8; MAPK13; MAPK14; CASP9; PARK7; PARK2; CASP3 Cardiac & Beta GNAS; GNAQ; PPP2R1A; GNB2L1; PPP2CA; PPP1CC; Adrenergic Signaling PPP2R5C Glycolysis/ HK2; GCK; GPI; ALDH1A1; PKM2; LDHA; HK1 Gluconeogenesis Interferon Signaling IRF1; SOCS1; JAK1; JAK2; IFITM1; STAT1; IFIT3 Sonic Hedgehog ARRB2; SMO; GLI2; DYRK1A; GLI1; GSK3B; DYRK1B Signaling Glycerophospholipid PLD1; GRN; GPAM; YWHAZ; SPHK1; SPHK2 Metabolism Phospholipid PRDX6; PLD1; GRN; YWHAZ; SPHK1; SPHK2 Degradation Tryptophan Metabolism SIAH2; PRMT5; NEDD4; ALDH1A1; CYP1B1; SIAH1 Lysine Degradation SUV39H1; EHMT2; NSD1; SETD7; PPP2R5C Nucleotide Excision ERCC5; ERCC4; XPA; XPC; ERCC1 Repair Pathway Starch and Sucrose UCHL1; HK2; GCK; GPI; HK1 Metabolism Aminosugars Metabolism NQO1; HK2; GCK; HK1 Arachidonic Acid PRDX6; GRN; YWHAZ; CYP1B1 Metabolism Circadian Rhythm CSNK1E; CREB1; ATF4; NR1D1 Signaling Coagulation System BDKRB1; F2R; SERPINE1; F3 Dopamine Receptor PPP2R1A; PPP2CA; PPP1CC; PPP2R5C Signaling Glutathione Metabolism IDH2; GSTP1; ANPEP; IDH1 Glycerolipid Metabolism ALDH1A1; GPAM; SPHK1; SPHK2 Linoleic Acid Metabolism PRDX6; GRN; YWHAZ; CYP1B1 Methionine Metabolism DNMT1; DNMT3B; AHCY; DNMT3A Pyruvate Metabolism GLO1; ALDH1A1; PKM2; LDHA Arginine and Proline ALDH1A1; NOS3; NOS2A Metabolism Eicosanoid Signaling PRDX6; GRN; YWHAZ Fructose and Mannose HK2; GCK; HK1 Metabolism Galactose Metabolism HK2; GCK; HK1 Stilbene, Coumarine and PRDX6; PRDX1; TYR Lignin Biosynthesis Antigen Presentation CALR; B2M Pathway Biosynthesis of Steroids NQO1; DHCR7 Butanoate Metabolism ALDH1A1; NLGN1 Citrate Cycle IDH2; IDH1 Fatty Acid Metabolism ALDH1A1; CYP1B1 Glycerophospholipid PRDX6; CHKA Metabolism Histidine Metabolism PRMT5; ALDH1A1 Inositol Metabolism ERO1L; APEX1 Metabolism of GSTP1; CYP1B1 Xenobiotics by Cytochrome p450 Methane Metabolism PRDX6; PRDX1 Phenylalanine PRDX6; PRDX1 Metabolism Propanoate Metabolism ALDH1A1; LDHA Selenoamino Acid PRMT5; AHCY Metabolism Sphingolipid Metabolism SPHK1; SPHK2 Aminophosphonate PRMT5 Metabolism Androgen and Estrogen PRMT5 Metabolism Ascorbate and Aldarate ALDH1A1 Metabolism Bile Acid Biosynthesis ALDH1A1 Cysteine Metabolism LDHA Fatty Acid Biosynthesis FASN Glutamate Receptor GNB2L1 Signaling NRF2-mediated PRDX1 Oxidative Stress Response Pentose Phosphate GPI Pathway Pentose and Glucuronate UCHL1 Interconversions Retinol Metabolism ALDH1A1 Riboflavin Metabolism TYR Tyrosine Metabolism PRMT5, TYR Ubiquinone Biosynthesis PRMT5 Valine, Leucine and ALDH1A1 Isoleucine Degradation Glycine, Serine and CHKA Threonine Metabolism Lysine Degradation ALDH1A1 Pain/Taste TRPM5; TRPA1 Pain TRPM7; TRPC5; TRPC6; TRPC1; Cnr1; cnr2; Grk2; Trpa1; Pomc; Cgrp; Crf; Pka; Era; Nr2b; TRPM5; Prkaca; Prkacb; Prkar1a; Prkar2a Mitochondrial Function AIF; CytC; SMAC (Diablo); Aifm-1; Aifm-2 Developmental BMP-4; Chordin (Chrd); Noggin (Nog); WNT (Wnt2; Neurology Wnt2b; Wnt3a; Wnt4; Wnt5a; Wnt6; Wnt7b; Wnt8b; Wnt9a; Wnt9b; Wnt10a; Wnt10b; Wnt16); beta-catenin; Dkk-1; Frizzled related proteins; Otx-2; Gbx2; FGF-8; Reelin; Dab1; unc-86 (Pou4f1 or Brn3a); Numb; Reln

Embodiments of the invention also relate to methods and compositions related to knocking out genes, amplifying genes and repairing particular mutations associated with DNA repeat instability and neurological disorders (Robert D. Wells, Tetsuo Ashizawa, Genetic Instabilities and Neurological Diseases, Second Edition, Academic Press, Oct. 13, 2011—Medical). Specific aspects of tandem repeat sequences have been found to be responsible for more than twenty human diseases (New insights into repeat instability: role of RNA•DNA hybrids. McIvor E I, Polak U, Napierala M. RNA Biol. 2010 September-October; 7(5):551-8). The CRISPR-Cas system may be harnessed to correct these defects of genomic instability.

A further aspect of the invention relates to utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system for correcting defects in the EMP2A and EMP2B genes that have been identified to be associated with Lafora disease. Lafora disease is an autosomal recessive condition which is characterized by progressive myoclonus epilepsy which may start as epileptic seizures in adolescence. A few cases of the disease may be caused by mutations in genes yet to be identified. The disease causes seizures, muscle spasms, difficulty walking, dementia, and eventually death. There is currently no therapy that has proven effective against disease progression. Other genetic abnormalities associated with epilepsy may also be targeted by the CRISPR-Cas system and the underlying genetics is further described in Genetics of Epilepsy and Genetic Epilepsies, edited by Giuliano Avanzini, Jeffrey L. Noebels, Mariani Foundation Paediatric Neurology:20; 2009).

The methods of US Patent Publication No. 20110158957 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. involved in inactivating T cell receptor (TCR) genes may also be modified to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. In another example, the methods of US Patent Publication No. 20100311124 assigned to Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. and US Patent Publication No. 20110225664 assigned to Cellectis, which are both involved in inactivating glutamine synthetase gene expression genes may also be modified to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention.

Several further aspects of the invention relate to correcting defects associated with a wide range of genetic diseases which are further described on the website of the National Institutes of Health under the topic subsection Genetic Disorders (website at health.nih.gov/topic/GeneticDisorders). The genetic brain diseases may include but are not limited to Adrenoleukodystrophy, Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, Aicardi Syndrome, Alpers' Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Barth Syndrome, Batten Disease, CADASIL, Cerebellar Degeneration, Fabry's Disease, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Disease, Huntington's Disease and other Triplet Repeat Disorders, Leigh's Disease, Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome, Menkes Disease, Mitochondrial Myopathies and NINDS Colpocephaly. These diseases are further described on the website of the National Institutes of Health under the subsection Genetic Brain Disorders.

In some embodiments, the condition may be neoplasia. In some embodiments, where the condition is neoplasia, the genes to be targeted are any of those listed in Table [[A]]7 (in this case PTEN and so forth). In some embodiments, the condition may be Age-related Macular Degeneration. In some embodiments, the condition may be a Schizophrenic Disorder. In some embodiments, the condition may be a Trinucleotide Repeat Disorder. In some embodiments, the condition may be Fragile X Syndrome. In some embodiments, the condition may be a Secretase Related Disorder. In some embodiments, the condition may be a Prion—related disorder. In some embodiments, the condition may be ALS. In some embodiments, the condition may be a drug addiction. In some embodiments, the condition may be Autism. In some embodiments, the condition may be Alzheimer's Disease. In some embodiments, the condition may be inflammation. In some embodiments, the condition may be Parkinson's Disease.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110023145, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of disorders characterized by qualitative impairment in social interaction and communication, and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. The three disorders, autism, Asperger syndrome (AS) and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) are a continuum of the same disorder with varying degrees of severity, associated intellectual functioning and medical conditions. ASDs are predominantly genetically determined disorders with a heritability of around 90%.

US Patent Publication No. 20110023145 comprises editing of any chromosomal sequences that encode proteins associated with ASD which may be applied to the CRISPR Cas system of the present invention. The proteins associated with ASD are typically selected based on an experimental association of the protein associated with ASD to an incidence or indication of an ASD. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a protein associated with ASD may be elevated or depressed in a population having an ASD relative to a population lacking the ASD. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the proteins associated with ASD may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Non limiting examples of disease states or disorders that may be associated with proteins associated with ASD include autism, Asperger syndrome (AS), pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Rett's syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, phenylketonuria, Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome and fragile X syndrome. By way of non-limiting example, proteins associated with ASD include but are not limited to the following proteins: ATP10C aminophospholipid-MET MET receptor transporting ATPase tyrosine kinase (ATP10C) BZRAP1 MGLUR5 (GRM5) Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (MGLUR5) CDH10 Cadherin-10 MGLUR6 (GRM6) Metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (MGLUR6) CDH9 Cadherin-9 NLGN1 Neuroligin-1 CNTN4 Contactin-4 NLGN2 Neuroligin-2 CNTNAP2 Contactin-associated SEMASA Neuroligin-3 protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) DHCR7 7-dehydrocholesterol NLGN4X Neuroligin-4 X-reductase (DHCR7) linked DOC2A Double C2-like domain-NLGN4Y Neuroligin-4 Y-containing protein alpha linked DPP6 Dipeptidyl NLGN5 Neuroligin-5 aminopeptidase-like protein 6 EN2 engrailed 2 (EN2) NRCAM Neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NRCAM) MDGA2 fragile X mental retardation NRXN1 Neurexin-1 1 (MDGA2) FMR2 (AFF2) AF4/FMR2 family member 2 OR4M2 Olfactory receptor (AFF2) 4M2 FOXP2 Forkhead box protein P2 OR4N4 Olfactory receptor (FOXP2) 4N4 FXR1 Fragile X mental OXTR oxytocin receptor retardation, autosomal (OXTR) homolog 1 (FXR1) FXR2 Fragile X mental PAH phenylalanine retardation, autosomal hydroxylase (PAH) homolog 2 (FXR2) GABRA1 Gamma-aminobutyric acid PTEN Phosphatase and receptor subunit alpha-1 tensin homologue (GABRA1) (PTEN) GABRA5 GABAA (.gamma.-aminobutyric PTPRZ1 Receptor-type acid) receptor alpha 5 tyrosine-protein subunit (GABRA5) phosphatase zeta (PTPRZ1) GABRB1 Gamma-aminobutyric acid RELN Reelin receptor subunit beta-1 (GABRB1) GABRB3 GABAA (.gamma.-aminobutyric RPL10 60S ribosomal acid) receptor .beta.3 subunit protein L10 (GABRB3) GABRG1 Gamma-aminobutyric acid SEMASA Semaphorin-5A receptor subunit gamma-1 (SEMA5A) (GABRG1) HIRIP3 HIRA-interacting protein 3 SEZ6L2 seizure related 6 homolog (mouse)-like 2 HOXA1 Homeobox protein Hox-A1 SHANK3 SH3 and multiple (HOXA1) ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) IL6 Interleukin-6 SHBZRAP1 SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHBZRAP1) LAMB1 Laminin subunit beta-1 SLC6A4 Serotonin (LAMB1) transporter (SERT) MAPK3 Mitogen-activated protein TAS2R1 Taste receptor kinase 3 type 2 member 1 TAS2R1 MAZ Myc-associated zinc finger TSC1 Tuberous sclerosis protein 1 MDGA2 MAM domain containing TSC2 Tuberous sclerosis glycosylphosphatidylinositol protein 2 anchor 2 (MDGA2) MECP2 Methyl CpG binding UBE3A Ubiquitin protein 2 (MECP2) ligase E3A (UBE3A) MECP2 methyl CpG binding WNT2 Wingless-type protein 2 (MECP2) MMTV integration site family, member 2 (WNT2)

The identity of the protein associated with ASD whose chromosomal sequence is edited can and will vary. In preferred embodiments, the proteins associated with ASD whose chromosomal sequence is edited may be the benzodiazapine receptor (peripheral) associated protein 1 (BZRAP1) encoded by the BZRAP1 gene, the AF4/FMR2 family member 2 protein (AFF2) encoded by the AFF2 gene (also termed MFR2), the fragile X mental retardation autosomal homolog 1 protein (FXR1) encoded by the FXR1 gene, the fragile X mental retardation autosomal homolog 2 protein (FXR2) encoded by the FXR2 gene, the MAM domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 protein (MDGA2) encoded by the MDGA2 gene, the methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) encoded by the MECP2 gene, the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (MGLUR5) encoded by the MGLUR5-1 gene (also termed GRM5), the neurexin 1 protein encoded by the NRXN1 gene, or the semaphorin-5A protein (SEMA5A) encoded by the SEMA5A gene. In an exemplary embodiment, the genetically modified animal is a rat, and the edited chromosomal sequence encoding the protein associated with ASD is as listed below: BZRAP1 benzodiazapine receptor XM_002727789, (peripheral) associated XM_213427, protein 1 (BZRAP1) XM_002724533, XM_001081125 AFF2 (FMR2) AF4/FMR2 family member 2 XM_219832, (AFF2) XM_001054673 FXR1 Fragile X mental NM_001012179 retardation, autosomal homolog 1 (FXR1) FXR2 Fragile X mental NM_001100647 retardation, autosomal homolog 2 (FXR2) MDGA2 MAM domain containing NM_199269 glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 (MDGA2) MECP2 Methyl CpG binding NM_022673 protein 2 (MECP2) MGLUR5 Metabotropic glutamate NM_017012 (GRM5) receptor 5 (MGLUR5) NRXN1 Neurexin-1 NM_021767 SEMA5A Semaphorin-5A (SEMA5A) NM_001107659

Exemplary animals or cells may comprise one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine or more inactivated chromosomal sequences encoding a protein associated with ASD, and zero, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or more chromosomally integrated sequences encoding proteins associated with ASD. The edited or integrated chromosomal sequence may be modified to encode an altered protein associated with ASD. Non-limiting examples of mutations in proteins associated with ASD include the L18Q mutation in neurexin 1 where the leucine at position 18 is replaced with a glutamine, the R451C mutation in neuroligin 3 where the arginine at position 451 is replaced with a cysteine, the R87W mutation in neuroligin 4 where the arginine at position 87 is replaced with a tryptophan, and the I425V mutation in serotonin transporter where the isoleucine at position 425 is replaced with a valine. A number of other mutations and chromosomal rearrangements in ASD-related chromosomal sequences have been associated with ASD and are known in the art. See, for example, Freitag et al. (2010) Eur. Child. Adolesc. Psychiatry 19:169-178, and Bucan et al. (2009) PLoS Genetics 5: e1000536, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Examples of proteins associated with Parkinson's disease include but are not limited to α-synuclein, DJ-1, LRRK2, PINK1, Parkin, UCHL1, Synphilin-1, and NURR1.

Examples of addiction-related proteins may include ABAT for example.

Examples of inflammation-related proteins may include the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) encoded by the Ccr2 gene, the C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) encoded by the Ccr5 gene, the IgG receptor IIB (FCGR2b, also termed CD32) encoded by the Fcgr2b gene, or the Fc epsilon R1 g (FCER1 g) protein encoded by the Fcer1 g gene, for example.

Examples of cardiovascular diseases associated proteins may include IL1B (interleukin 1, beta), XDH (xanthine dehydrogenase), TP53 (tumor protein p53), PTGIS (prostaglandin 12 (prostacyclin) synthase), MB (myoglobin), IL4 (interleukin 4), ANGPT1 (angiopoietin 1), ABCG8 (ATP-binding cassette, sub-family G (WHITE), member 8), or CTSK (cathepsin K), for example.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110023153, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Once modified cells and animals may be further tested using known methods to study the effects of the targeted mutations on the development and/or progression of AD using measures commonly used in the study of AD—such as, without limitation, learning and memory, anxiety, depression, addiction, and sensory motor functions as well as assays that measure behavioral, functional, pathological, metaboloic and biochemical function.

The present disclosure comprises editing of any chromosomal sequences that encode proteins associated with AD. The AD-related proteins are typically selected based on an experimental association of the AD-related protein to an AD disorder. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of an AD-related protein may be elevated or depressed in a population having an AD disorder relative to a population lacking the AD disorder. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the AD-related proteins may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Examples of Alzheimer's disease associated proteins may include the very low density lipoprotein receptor protein (VLDLR) encoded by the VLDLR gene, the ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) encoded by the UBA1 gene, or the NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 catalytic subunit protein (UBE1C) encoded by the UBA3 gene, for example.

By way of non-limiting example, proteins associated with AD include but are not limited to the proteins listed as follows: Chromosomal Sequence Encoded Protein ALAS2 Delta-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) ABCA1 ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABCA1) ACE Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) APOE Apolipoprotein E precursor (APOE) APP amyloid precursor protein (APP) AQP1 aquaporin 1 protein (AQP1) BIN1 Myc box-dependent-interacting protein 1 or bridging integrator 1 protein (BIN1) BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) BTNL8 Butyrophilin-like protein 8 (BTNL8) ClORF49 chromosome 1 open reading frame 49 CDH4 Cadherin-4 CHRNB2 Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-2 CKLFSF2 CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 2 (CKLFSF2) CLEC4E C-type lectin domain family 4, member e (CLEC4E) CLU clusterin protein (also known as apoplipoprotein J) CR1 Erythrocyte complement receptor 1 (CR1, also known as CD35, C3b/C4b receptor and immune adherence receptor) CR1L Erythrocyte complement receptor 1 (CR1L) CSF3R granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R) CST3 Cystatin C or cystatin 3 CYP2C Cytochrome P450 2C DAPK1 Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) ESR1 Estrogen receptor 1 FCAR Fc fragment of IgA receptor (FCAR, also known as CD89) FCGR3B Fc fragment of IgG, low affinity IIIb, receptor (FCGR3B or CD16b) FFA2 Free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2) FGA Fibrinogen (Factor I) GAB2 GRB2-associated-binding protein 2 (GAB2) GAB2 GRB2-associated-binding protein 2 (GAB2) GALP Galanin-like peptide GAPDHS Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogenic (GAPDHS) GMPB GMBP HP Haptoglobin (HP) HTR7 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 7 (adenylate cyclase-coupled) IDE Insulin degrading enzyme IF127 IF127 IFI6 Interferon, alpha-inducible protein 6 (IFI6) IFIT2 Interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 2 (IFIT2) IL1RN interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) IL8RA Interleukin 8 receptor, alpha (IL8RA or CD181) IL8RB Interleukin 8 receptor, beta (IL8RB) JAG1 Jagged 1 (JAG1) KCNJ15 Potassium inwardly-rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 15 (KCNJ15) LRP6 Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) MAPT microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) MARK4 MAP/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) MPHOSPH1 M-phase phosphoprotein 1 MTHFR 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase MX2 Interferon-induced GTP-binding protein Mx2 NBN Nibrin, also known as NBN NCSTN Nicastrin NIACR2 Niacin receptor 2 (NIACR2, also known as GPR109B) NMNAT3 nicotinamide nucleotide adenylyltransferase 3 NTM Neurotrimin (or HNT) ORM1 Orosmucoid 1 (ORM1) or Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 P2RY13 P2Y purinoceptor 13 (P2RY13) PBEF1 Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAmPRTase or Nampt) also known as pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor 1 (PBEF1) or visfatin PCK1 Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase PICALM phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) PLAU Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (PLAU) PLXNC1 Plexin C1 (PLXNC1) PRNP Prion protein PSEN1 presenilin 1 protein (PSEN1) PSEN2 presenilin 2 protein (PSEN2) PTPRA protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type A protein (PTPRA) RALGPS2 Ral GEF with PH domain and SH3 binding motif 2 (RALGPS2) RGSL2 regulator of G-protein signaling like 2 (RGSL2) SELENBP1 Selenium binding protein 1 (SELNBP1) SLC25A37 Mitoferrin-1 SORL1 sortilin-related receptor L(DLR class) A repeats-containing protein (SORL1) TF Transferrin TFAM Mitochondrial transcription factor A TNF Tumor necrosis factor TNFRSF10C Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 10C (TNFRSF10C) TNFSF10 Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, (TRAIL) member 10a (TNFSF10) UBA1 ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) UBA3 NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 catalytic subunit protein (UBEIC) UBB ubiquitin B protein (UBB) UBQLN1 Ubiquilin-1 UCHL1 ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase L1 protein (UCHL1) UCHL3 ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L3 protein (UCHL3) VLDLR very low density lipoprotein receptor protein (VLDLR)

In exemplary embodiments, the proteins associated with AD whose chromosomal sequence is edited may be the very low density lipoprotein receptor protein (VLDLR) encoded by the VLDLR gene, the ubiquitin-like modifier activating enzyme 1 (UBA1) encoded by the UBA1 gene, the NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 catalytic subunit protein (UBEIC) encoded by the UBA3 gene, the aquaporin 1 protein (AQP1) encoded by the AQP1 gene, the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase Li protein (UCHL1) encoded by the UCHL1 gene, the ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L3 protein (UCHL3) encoded by the UCHL3 gene, the ubiquitin B protein (UBB) encoded by the UBB gene, the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) encoded by the MAPT gene, the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type A protein (PTPRA) encoded by the PTPRA gene, the phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) encoded by the PICALM gene, the clusterin protein (also known as apoplipoprotein J) encoded by the CLU gene, the presenilin 1 protein encoded by the PSEN1 gene, the presenilin 2 protein encoded by the PSEN2 gene, the sortilin-related receptor L(DLR class) A repeats-containing protein (SORL1) protein encoded by the SORL1 gene, the amyloid precursor protein (APP) encoded by the APP gene, the Apolipoprotein E precursor (APOE) encoded by the APOE gene, or the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) encoded by the BDNF gene. In an exemplary embodiment, the genetically modified animal is a rat, and the edited chromosomal sequence encoding the protein associated with AD is as follows: APP amyloid precursor protein (APP) NM_019288 AQP1 aquaporin 1 protein (AQP1) NM_012778 BDNF Brain-derived neurotrophic factor NM_012513 CLU clusterin protein (also known as NM_053021 apoplipoprotein J) MAPT microtubule-associated protein NM_017212 tau (MAPT) PICALM phosphatidylinositol binding NM_053554 clathrin assembly protein (PICALM) PSEN1 presenilin 1 protein (PSEN1) NM_019163 PSEN2 presenilin 2 protein (PSEN2) NM_031087 PTPRA protein tyrosine phosphatase NM_012763 receptor type A protein (PTPRA) SORL1 sortilin-related receptor L(DLR NM_053519, class) A repeats-containing XM_001065506, protein (SORL1) XM_217115 UBA1 ubiquitin-like modifier activating NM_001014080 enzyme 1 (UBA1) UBA3 NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 NM_057205 catalytic subunit protein (UBE1C) UBB ubiquitin B protein (UBB) NM_138895 UCHL1 ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal NM_017237 esterase L1 protein (UCHL1) UCHL3 ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal NM_001110165 hydrolase isozyme L3 protein (UCHL3) VLDLR very low density lipoprotein NM_013155 receptor protein (VLDLR)

The animal or cell may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more disrupted chromosomal sequences encoding a protein associated with AD and zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more chromosomally integrated sequences encoding a protein associated with AD.

The edited or integrated chromosomal sequence may be modified to encode an altered protein associated with AD. A number of mutations in AD-related chromosomal sequences have been associated with AD. For instance, the V7171 (i.e. valine at position 717 is changed to isoleucine) missense mutation in APP causes familial AD. Multiple mutations in the presenilin-1 protein, such as H163R (i.e. histidine at position 163 is changed to arginine), A246E (i.e. alanine at position 246 is changed to glutamate), L286V (i.e. leucine at position 286 is changed to valine) and C410Y (i.e. cysteine at position 410 is changed to tyrosine) cause familial Alzheimer's type 3. Mutations in the presenilin-2 protein, such as N141 I (i.e. asparagine at position 141 is changed to isoleucine), M239V (i.e. methionine at position 239 is changed to valine), and D439A (i.e. aspartate at position 439 is changed to alanine) cause familial Alzheimer's type 4. Other associations of genetic variants in AD-associated genes and disease are known in the art. See, for example, Waring et al. (2008) Arch. Neurol. 65:329-334, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Examples of proteins associated Autism Spectrum Disorder may include the benzodiazapine receptor (peripheral) associated protein 1 (BZRAP1) encoded by the BZRAP1 gene, the AF4/FMR2 family member 2 protein (AFF2) encoded by the AFF2 gene (also termed MFR2), the fragile X mental retardation autosomal homolog 1 protein (FXR1) encoded by the FXR1 gene, or the fragile X mental retardation autosomal homolog 2 protein (FXR2) encoded by the FXR2 gene, for example.

Examples of proteins associated Macular Degeneration may include the ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1) member 4 protein (ABCA4) encoded by the ABCR gene, the apolipoprotein E protein (APOE) encoded by the APOE gene, or the chemokine (C-C motif) Ligand 2 protein (CCL2) encoded by the CCL2 gene, for example.

Examples of proteins associated Schizophrenia may include NRG1, ErbB4, CPLX1, TPH1, TPH2, NRXN1, GSK3A, BDNF, DISC1, GSK3B, and combinations thereof.

Examples of proteins involved in tumor suppression may include ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated), ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related), EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), ERBB2 (v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2), ERBB3 (v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 3), ERBB4 (v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 4), Notch 1, Notch2, Notch 3, or Notch 4, for example.

Examples of proteins associated with a secretase disorder may include PSENEN (presenilin enhancer 2 homolog (C. elegans)), CTSB (cathepsin B), PSEN1 (presenilin 1), APP (amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein), APH1B (anterior pharynx defective 1 homolog B (C. elegans)), PSEN2 (presenilin 2 (Alzheimer disease 4)), or BACE1 (beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1), for example.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110023146, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with secretase-associated disorders. Secretases are essential for processing pre-proteins into their biologically active forms. Defects in various components of the secretase pathways contribute to many disorders, particularly those with hallmark amyloidogenesis or amyloid plaques, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).

A secretase disorder and the proteins associated with these disorders are a diverse set of proteins that effect susceptibility for numerous disorders, the presence of the disorder, the severity of the disorder, or any combination thereof. The present disclosure comprises editing of any chromosomal sequences that encode proteins associated with a secretase disorder. The proteins associated with a secretase disorder are typically selected based on an experimental association of the secretase—related proteins with the development of a secretase disorder. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a protein associated with a secretase disorder may be elevated or depressed in a population with a secretase disorder relative to a population without a secretase disorder. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the protein associated with a secretase disorder may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

By way of non-limiting example, proteins associated with a secretase disorder include PSENEN (presenilin enhancer 2 homolog (C. elegans)), CTSB (cathepsin B), PSEN1 (presenilin 1), APP (amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein), APH1B (anterior pharynx defective 1 homolog B (C. elegans)), PSEN2 (presenilin 2 (Alzheimer disease 4)), BACE1 (beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1), ITM2B (integral membrane protein 2B), CTSD (cathepsin D), NOTCH1 (Notch homolog 1, translocation-associated (Drosophila)), TNF (tumor necrosis factor (TNF superfamily, member 2)), INS (insulin), DYT10 (dystonia 10), ADAM17 (ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17), APOE (apolipoprotein E), ACE (angiotensin I converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptidase A) 1), STN (statin), TP53 (tumor protein p53), I16 (interleukin 6 (interferon, beta 2)), NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor (TNFR superfamily, member 16)), IL1B (interleukin 1, beta), ACHE (acetylcholinesterase (Yt blood group)), CTNNB1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1, 88 kDa), IGF1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 (somatomedin C)), IFNG (interferon, gamma), NRG1 (neuregulin 1), CASP3 (caspase 3, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase), MAPK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1), CDH1 (cadherin 1, type 1, E-cadherin (epithelial)), APBB1 (amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein-binding, family B, member 1 (Fe65)), HMGCR (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A reductase), CREB1 (cAMP responsive element binding protein 1), PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase)), HES1 (hairy and enhancer of split 1, (Drosophila)), CAT (catalase), TGFB1 (transforming growth factor, beta 1), ENO2 (enolase 2 (gamma, neuronal)), ERBB4 (v-erb-a erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 4 (avian)), TRAPPC10 (trafficking protein particle complex 10), MAOB (monoamine oxidase B), NGF (nerve growth factor (beta polypeptide)), MMP12 (matrix metallopeptidase 12 (macrophage elastase)), JAG1 (jagged 1 (Alagille syndrome)), CD40LG (CD40 ligand), PPARG (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma), FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2 (basic)), IL3 (interleukin 3 (colony-stimulating factor, multiple)), LRP1 (low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1), NOTCH4 (Notch homolog 4 (Drosophila)), MAPK8 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 8), PREP (prolyl endopeptidase), NOTCH3 (Notch homolog 3 (Drosophila)), PRNP (prion protein), CTSG (cathepsin G), EGF (epidermal growth factor (beta-urogastrone)), REN (renin), CD44 (CD44 molecule (Indian blood group)), SELP (selectin P (granule membrane protein 140 kDa, antigen CD62)), GHR (growth hormone receptor), ADCYAP1 (adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 (pituitary)), INSR (insulin receptor), GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), MMP3 (matrix metallopeptidase 3 (stromelysin 1, progelatinase)), MAPK10 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 10), SP1 (Sp1 transcription factor), MYC (v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (avian)), CTSE (cathepsin E), PPARA (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha), JUN (jun oncogene), TIMP1 (TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1), IL5 (interleukin 5 (colony-stimulating factor, eosinophil)), ILIA (interleukin 1, alpha), MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9 (gelatinase B, 92 kDa gelatinase, 92 kDa type IV collagenase)), HTR4 (5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 4), HSPG2 (heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2), KRAS (v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog), CYCS (cytochrome c, somatic), SMG1 (SMG1 homolog, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related kinase (C. elegans)), IL1R1 (interleukin 1 receptor, type I), PROK (prokineticin 1), MAPK3 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 3), NTRK1 (neurotrophic tyrosine kinase, receptor, type 1), 1L13 (interleukin 13), MME (membrane metallo-endopeptidase), TKT (transketolase), CXCR2 (chemokine (C—X—C motif) receptor 2), IGF1R (insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor), RARA (retinoic acid receptor, alpha), CREBBP (CREB binding protein), PTGS1 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (prostaglandin G/H synthase and cyclooxygenase)), GALT (galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase), CHRM1 (cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 1), ATXN1 (ataxin 1), PAWR (PRKC, apoptosis, WT1, regulator), NOTCH2 (Notch homolog 2 (Drosophila)), M6PR (mannose-6-phosphate receptor (cation dependent)), CYP46A1 (cytochrome P450, family 46, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), CSNK1 D (casein kinase 1, delta), MAPK14 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 14), PRG2 (proteoglycan 2, bone marrow (natural killer cell activator, eosinophil granule major basic protein)), PRKCA (protein kinase C, alpha), Li CAM (L1 cell adhesion molecule), CD40 (CD40 molecule, TNF receptor superfamily member 5), NR1I2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2), JAG2 (jagged 2), CTNND1 (catenin (cadherin-associated protein), delta 1), CDH2 (cadherin 2, type 1, N-cadherin (neuronal)), CMA1 (chymase 1, mast cell), SORT1 (sortilin 1), DLK1 (delta-like 1 homolog (Drosophila)), THEM4 (thioesterase superfamily member 4), JUP (junction plakoglobin), CD46 (CD46 molecule, complement regulatory protein), CCL11 (chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 11), CAV3 (caveolin 3), RNASE3 (ribonuclease, RNase A family, 3 (eosinophil cationic protein)), HSPA8 (heat shock 70 kDa protein 8), CASP9 (caspase 9, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase), CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450, family 3, subfamily A, polypeptide 4), CCR3 (chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 3), TFAP2A (transcription factor AP-2 alpha (activating enhancer binding protein 2 alpha)), SCP2 (sterol carrier protein 2), CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4), HIF1A (hypoxia inducible factor 1, alpha subunit (basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor)), TCF7L2 (transcription factor 7-like 2 (T-cell specific, HMG-box)), IL1R2 (interleukin 1 receptor, type II), B3GALTL (beta 1,3-galactosyltransferase-like), MDM2 (Mdm2 p53 binding protein homolog (mouse)), RELA (v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (avian)), CASP7 (caspase 7, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase), IDE (insulin-degrading enzyme), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4, adipocyte), CASK (calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (MAGUK family)), ADCYAPIR1 (adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide 1 (pituitary) receptor type I), ATF4 (activating transcription factor 4 (tax-responsive enhancer element B67)), PDGFA (platelet-derived growth factor alpha polypeptide), C21 or f33 (chromosome 21 open reading frame 33), SCG5 (secretogranin V (7B2 protein)), RNF123 (ring finger protein 123), NFKB1 (nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1), ERBB2 (v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2, neuro/glioblastoma derived oncogene homolog (avian)), CAV1 (caveolin 1, caveolae protein, 22 kDa), MMP7 (matrix metallopeptidase 7 (matrilysin, uterine)), TGFA (transforming growth factor, alpha), RXRA (retinoid X receptor, alpha), STX1A (syntaxin 1A (brain)), PSMC4 (proteasome (prosome, macropain) 26S subunit, ATPase, 4), P2RY2 (purinergic receptor P2Y, G-protein coupled, 2), TNFRSF21 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 21), DLG1 (discs, large homolog 1 (Drosophila)), NUMBL (numb homolog (Drosophila)-like), SPN (sialophorin), PLSCR1 (phospholipid scramblase 1), UBQLN2 (ubiquilin 2), UBQLN1 (ubiquilin 1), PCSK7 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 7), SPON1 (spondin 1, extracellular matrix protein), SILV (silver homolog (mouse)), QPCT (glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase), HESS (hairy and enhancer of split 5 (Drosophila)), GCC1 (GRIP and coiled-coil domain containing 1), and any combination thereof.

The genetically modified animal or cell may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more disrupted chromosomal sequences encoding a protein associated with a secretase disorder and zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more chromosomally integrated sequences encoding a disrupted protein associated with a secretase disorder.

Examples of proteins associated with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis may include SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), ALS2 (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2), FUS (fused in sarcoma), TARDBP (TAR DNA binding protein), VAGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), VAGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), and VAGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), and any combination thereof.

For example, US Patent Publication No. 20110023144, describes use of zinc finger nucleases to genetically modify cells, animals and proteins associated with amyotrophyic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. ALS is characterized by the gradual steady degeneration of certain nerve cells in the brain cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord involved in voluntary movement.

Motor neuron disorders and the proteins associated with these disorders are a diverse set of proteins that effect susceptibility for developing a motor neuron disorder, the presence of the motor neuron disorder, the severity of the motor neuron disorder or any combination thereof. The present disclosure comprises editing of any chromosomal sequences that encode proteins associated with ALS disease, a specific motor neuron disorder. The proteins associated with ALS are typically selected based on an experimental association of ALS-related proteins to ALS. For example, the production rate or circulating concentration of a protein associated with ALS may be elevated or depressed in a population with ALS relative to a population without ALS. Differences in protein levels may be assessed using proteomic techniques including but not limited to Western blot, immunohistochemical staining, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and mass spectrometry. Alternatively, the proteins associated with ALS may be identified by obtaining gene expression profiles of the genes encoding the proteins using genomic techniques including but not limited to DNA microarray analysis, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

By way of non-limiting example, proteins associated with ALS include but are not limited to the following proteins: SOD1 superoxide dismutase 1, ALS3 amyotrophic lateral soluble sclerosis 3 SETX senataxin ALS5 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 5 FUS fused in sarcoma ALS7 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 7 ALS2 amyotrophic lateral DPP6 Dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 sclerosis 2 NEFH neurofilament, heavy PTGS1 prostaglandin-polypeptide endoperoxide synthase 1 SLC1A2 solute carrier family 1 TNFRSF10B tumor necrosis factor (glial high affinity receptor superfamily, glutamate transporter), member 10b member 2 PRPH peripherin HSP90AAI heat shock protein 90 kDa alpha (cytosolic), class A member 1 GRIA2 glutamate receptor, IFNG interferon, gamma ionotropic, AMPA 2 S100B S100 calcium binding FGF2 fibroblast growth factor 2 protein B AOX1 aldehyde oxidase 1 CS citrate synthase TARDBP TAR DNA binding protein TXN thioredoxin RAPH1 Ras association MAP3K5 mitogen-activated protein (RaIGDS/AF-6) and kinase 5 pleckstrin homology domains 1 NBEAL1 neurobeachin-like 1 GPX1 glutathione peroxidase 1 ICA1L islet cell autoantigen RAC1 ras-related C3 botulinum 1.69 kDa-like toxin substrate 1 MAPT microtubule-associated ITPR2 inositol 1,4,5-protein tau triphosphate receptor, type 2 ALS2CR4 amyotrophic lateral GLS glutaminase sclerosis 2 (juvenile) chromosome region, candidate 4 ALS2CR8 amyotrophic lateral CNTFR ciliary neurotrophic factor sclerosis 2 (juvenile) receptor chromosome region, candidate 8 ALS2CR11 amyotrophic lateral FOLH1 folate hydrolase 1 sclerosis 2 (juvenile) chromosome region, candidate 11 FAM117B family with sequence P4HB prolyl 4-hydroxylase, similarity 117, member B beta polypeptide CNTF ciliary neurotrophic factor SQSTM1 sequestosome 1 STRADB STE20-related kinase NAIP NLR family, apoptosis adaptor beta inhibitory protein YWHAQ tyrosine 3-SLC33A1 solute carrier family 33 monooxygenase/tryptoph (acetyl-CoA transporter), an 5-monooxygenase member 1 activation protein, theta polypeptide TRAK2 trafficking protein, FIG. 4 FIG. 4 homolog, SAC1 kinesin binding 2 lipid phosphatase domain containing NIF3L1 NIF3 NGG1 interacting INA internexin neuronal factor 3-like 1 intermediate filament protein, alpha PARD3B par-3 partitioning COX8A cytochrome c oxidase defective 3 homolog B subunit VIIIA CDK15 cyclin-dependent kinase HECW1 HECT, C2 and WW 15 domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 NOS1 nitric oxide synthase 1 MET met proto-oncogene SOD2 superoxide dismutase 2, HSPB1 heat shock 27 kDa mitochondrial protein 1 NEFL neurofilament, light CTSB cathepsin B polypeptide ANG angiogenin, HSPA8 heat shock 70 kDa ribonuclease, RNase A protein 8 family, 5 VAPB VAMP (vesicle-ESR1 estrogen receptor 1 associated membrane protein)-associated protein B and C SNCA synuclein, alpha HGF hepatocyte growth factor CAT catalase ACTB actin, beta NEFM neurofilament, medium TH tyrosine hydroxylase polypeptide BCL2 B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 FAS Fas (TNF receptor superfamily, member 6) CASP3 caspase 3, apoptosis-CLU clusterin related cysteine peptidase SMN1 survival of motor neuron G6PD glucose-6-phosphate 1, telomeric dehydrogenase BAX BCL2-associated X HSF1 heat shock transcription protein factor 1 RNF19A ring finger protein 19A JUN jun oncogene ALS2CR12 amyotrophic lateral HSPA5 heat shock 70 kDa sclerosis 2 (juvenile) protein 5 chromosome region, candidate 12 MAPK14 mitogen-activated protein I10 interleukin 10 kinase 14 APEX1 APEX nuclease TXNRD1 thioredoxin reductase 1 (multifunctional DNA repair enzyme) 1 NOS2 nitric oxide synthase 2, TIWP1 TIMP metallopeptidase inducible inhibitor 1 CASP9 caspase 9, apoptosis-XIAP X-linked inhibitor of related cysteine apoptosis peptidase GLG1 golgi glycoprotein 1 EPO erythropoietin VEGFA vascular endothelial ELN elastin growth factor A GDNF glial cell derived NFE2L2 nuclear factor (erythroid-neurotrophic factor derived 2)-like 2 SLC6A3 solute carrier family 6 HSPA4 heat shock 70 kDa (neurotransmitter protein 4 transporter, dopamine), member 3 APOE apolipoprotein E PSMB8 proteasome (prosome, macropain) subunit, beta type, 8 DCTN1 dynactin 1 TIMP3 TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 3 KIFAP3 kinesin-associated SLC1A1 solute carrier family 1 protein 3 (neuronal/epithelial high affinity glutamate transporter, system Xag), member 1 SMN2 survival of motor neuron CCNC cyclin C 2, centromeric MPP4 membrane protein, STUB1 STIP1 homology and U-palmitoylated 4 box containing protein 1 ALS2 amyloid beta (A4) PRDX6 peroxiredoxin 6 precursor protein SYP synaptophysin CABIN1 calcineurin binding protein 1 CASP1 caspase 1, apoptosis-GART phosphoribosylglycinami related cysteine de formyltransferase, peptidase phosphoribosylglycinami de synthetase, phosphoribosylaminoimi dazole synthetase CDK5 cyclin-dependent kinase 5 ATXN3 ataxin 3 RTN4 reticulon 4 C1QB complement component 1, q subcomponent, B chain VEGFC nerve growth factor HTT huntingtin receptor PARK7 Parkinson disease 7 XDH xanthine dehydrogenase GFAP glial fibrillary acidic MAP2 microtubule-associated protein protein 2 CYCS cytochrome c, somatic FCGR3B Fc fragment of IgG, low affinity IIIb, CCS copper chaperone for UBL5 ubiquitin-like 5 superoxide dismutase MMP9 matrix metallopeptidase SLC18A3 solute carrier family 18 9 ((vesicular acetylcholine), member 3 TRPM7 transient receptor HSPB2 heat shock 27 kDa potential cation channel, protein 2 subfamily M, member 7 AKT1 v-akt murine thymoma DERL1 Derl-like domain family, viral oncogene homolog 1 member 1 CCL2 chemokine (C—C motif) NGRN neugrin, neurite ligand 2 outgrowth associated GSR glutathione reductase TPPP3 tubulin polymerization-promoting protein family member 3 APAFi apoptotic peptidase BTBD10 BTB (POZ) domain activating factor 1 containing 10 GLUD1 glutamate CXCR4 chemokine (C—X—C motif) dehydrogenase 1 receptor 4 SLC1A3 solute carrier family 1 FLT1 fms-related tyrosine (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 3 kinase 1 PON1 paraoxonase 1 AR androgen receptor LIF leukemia inhibitory factor ERBB3 v-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 3 LGALS1 lectin, galactoside-CD44 CD44 molecule binding, soluble, 1 TP53 tumor protein p53 TLR3 toll-like receptor 3 GRIA1 glutamate receptor, GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-ionotropic, AMPA 1 phosphate dehydrogenase GRIK1 glutamate receptor, DES desmin ionotropic, kainate 1 CHAT choline acetyltransferase FLT4 fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 CHMP2B chromatin modifying BAG1 BCL2-associated protein 2B athanogene MT3 metallothionein 3 CHRNA4 cholinergic receptor, nicotinic, alpha 4 GSS glutathione synthetase BAK1 BCL2-antagonist/killer 1 KDR kinase insert domain GSTP1 glutathione S-transferase receptor (a type III pi 1 receptor tyrosine kinase) OGG1 8-oxoguanine DNA IL6 interleukin 6 (interferon, glycosylase beta 2).

The animal or cell may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more disrupted chromosomal sequences encoding a protein associated with ALS and zero, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more chromosomally integrated sequences encoding the disrupted protein associated with ALS. Preferred proteins associated with ALS include SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), ALS2 (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2), FUS (fused in sarcoma), TARDBP (TAR DNA binding protein), VAGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), VAGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), and VAGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), and any combination thereof.

Examples of proteins associated with prion diseases may include SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), ALS2 (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2), FUS (fused in sarcoma), TARDBP (TAR DNA binding protein), VAGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A), VAGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), and VAGFC (vascular endothelial growth factor C), and any combination thereof.

Examples of proteins related to neurodegenerative conditions in prion disorders may include A2M (Alpha-2-Macroglobulin), AATF (Apoptosis antagonizing transcription factor), ACPP (Acid phosphatase prostate), ACTA2 (Actin alpha 2 smooth muscle aorta), ADAM22 (ADAM metallopeptidase domain), ADORA3 (Adenosine A3 receptor), or ADRAID (Alpha-1D adrenergic receptor for Alpha-1D adrenoreceptor), for example.

Examples of proteins associated with Immunodeficiency may include A2M [alpha-2-macroglobulin]; AANAT [arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase]; ABCA1 [ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 1]; ABCA2 [ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 2]; or ABCA3 [ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 3]; for example.

Examples of proteins associated with Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders include AR (androgen receptor), FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation 1), HTT (huntingtin), or DMPK (dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase), FXN (frataxin), ATXN2 (ataxin 2), for example.

Examples of proteins associated with Neurotransmission Disorders include SST (somatostatin), NOS1 (nitric oxide synthase 1 (neuronal)), ADRA2A (adrenergic, alpha-2A-, receptor), ADRA2C (adrenergic, alpha-2C-, receptor), TACR1 (tachykinin receptor 1), or HTR2c (5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C), for example.

Examples of neurodevelopmental-associated sequences include A2BP1 [ataxin 2-binding protein 1], AADAT [aminoadipate aminotransferase], AANAT [arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase], ABAT [4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase], ABCA1 [ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 1], or ABCA13 [ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A (ABC1), member 13], for example.

Further examples of preferred conditions treatable with the present system include may be selected from: Aicardi-Goutibres Syndrome; Alexander Disease; Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome; POLG-Related Disorders; Alpha-Mannosidosis (Type II and III); Alstrom Syndrome; Angelman; Syndrome; Ataxia-Telangiectasia; Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses; Beta-Thalassemia; Bilateral Optic Atrophy and (Infantile) Optic Atrophy Type 1; Retinoblastoma (bilateral); Canavan Disease; Cerebrooculofacioskeletal Syndrome 1 [COFS1]; Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis; Cornelia de Lange Syndrome; MAPT-Related Disorders; Genetic Prion Diseases; Dravet Syndrome; Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease; Friedreich Ataxia [FRDA]; Fryns Syndrome; Fucosidosis; Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy; Galactosialidosis; Gaucher Disease; Organic Acidemias; Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis; Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome; Mucolipidosis II; Infantile Free Sialic Acid Storage Disease; PLA2G6-Associated Neurodegeneration; Jervell and Lange-Nielsen Syndrome; Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa; Huntington Disease; Krabbe Disease (Infantile); Mitochondrial DNA-Associated Leigh Syndrome and NARP; Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome; LIS1-Associated Lissencephaly; Lowe Syndrome; Maple Syrup Urine Disease; MECP2 Duplication Syndrome; ATP7A-Related Copper Transport Disorders; LAMA2-Related Muscular Dystrophy; Arylsulfatase A Deficiency; Mucopolysaccharidosis Types I, II or III; Peroxisome Biogenesis Disorders, Zellweger Syndrome Spectrum; Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation Disorders; Acid Sphingomyelinase Deficiency; Niemann-Pick Disease Type C; Glycine Encephalopathy; ARX-Related Disorders; Urea Cycle Disorders; COL1A1/2-Related Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Mitochondrial DNA Deletion Syndromes; PLP1-Related Disorders; Perry Syndrome; Phelan-McDermid Syndrome; Glycogen Storage Disease Type II (Pompe Disease) (Infantile); MAPT-Related Disorders; MECP2-Related Disorders; Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata Type 1; Roberts Syndrome; Sandhoff Disease; Schindler Disease—Type 1; Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency; Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome; Spinal Muscular Atrophy; Infantile-Onset Spinocerebellar Ataxia; Hexosaminidase A Deficiency; Thanatophoric Dysplasia Type 1; Collagen Type VI-Related Disorders; Usher Syndrome Type I; Congenital Muscular Dystrophy; Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome; Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency; and Xeroderma Pigmentosum.

As will be apparent, it is envisaged that the present system can be used to target any polynucleotide sequence of interest. Some examples of conditions or diseases that might be usefully treated using the present system are included in the Tables above and examples of genes currently associated with those conditions are also provided there. However, the genes exemplified are not exhaustive.

For example, “wild type StCas9” refers to wild type Cas9 from S thermophilus, the protein sequence of which is given in the SwissProt database under accession number G3ECR1. Similarly, S pyogenes Cas9 is included in SwissProt under accession number Q99ZW2.

The ability to use CRISPR-Cas systems to perform efficient and cost effective gene editing and manipulation will allow the rapid selection and comparison of single and and multiplexed genetic manipulations to transform such genomes for improved production and enhanced traits. In this regard reference is made to US patents and publications: U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,061—Agrobacterium-Mediated Plant Transformation Method; U.S. Pat. No. 7,868,149—Plant Genome Sequences and Uses Thereof and US 2009/0100536—Transgenic Plants with Enhanced Agronomic Traits, all the contents and disclosure of each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the practice of the invention, the contents and disclosure of Morrell et al “Crop genomics:advances and applications” Nat Rev Genet. 2011 Dec. 29; 13(2):85-96 are also herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the present invention in any fashion. The present examples, along with the methods described herein are presently representative of preferred embodiments, are exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

Example 1: CRISPR Complex Activity in the Nucleus of a Eukaryotic Cell

An example type II CRISPR system is the type II CRISPR locus from Streptococcus pyogenes SF370, which contains a cluster of four genes Cas9, Cas1, Cas2, and Csn1, as well as two non-coding RNA elements, tracrRNA and a characteristic array of repetitive sequences (direct repeats) interspaced by short stretches of non-repetitive sequences (spacers, about 30 bp each). In this system, targeted DNA double-strand break (DSB) is generated in four sequential steps (FIG. 2A). First, two non-coding RNAs, the pre-crRNA array and tracrRNA, are transcribed from the CRISPR locus. Second, tracrRNA hybridizes to the direct repeats of pre-crRNA, which is then processed into mature crRNAs containing individual spacer sequences. Third, the mature crRNA:tracrRNA complex directs Cas9 to the DNA target consisting of the protospacer and the corresponding PAM via heteroduplex formation between the spacer region of the crRNA and the protospacer DNA. Finally, Cas9 mediates cleavage of target DNA upstream of PAM to create a DSB within the protospacer (FIG. 2A). This example describes an example process for adapting this RNA-programmable nuclease system to direct CRISPR complex activity in the nuclei of eukaryotic cells.

Cell Culture and Transfection

Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line HEK 293FT (Life Technologies) was maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (HyClone), 2 mM GlutaMAX (Life Technologies), 100U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ incubation. Mouse neuro2A (N2A) cell line (ATCC) was maintained with DMEM supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (HyClone), 2 mM GlutaMAX (Life Technologies), 100U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin at 37° C. with 5% CO₂.

HEK 293FT or N2A cells were seeded into 24-well plates (Corning) one day prior to transfection at a density of 200,000 cells per well. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies) following the manufacturer's recommended protocol. For each well of a 24-well plate a total of 800 ng of plasmids were used.

Surveyor Assay and Sequencing Analysis for Genome Modification

HEK 293FT or N2A cells were transfected with plasmid DNA as described above. After transfection, the cells were incubated at 37° C. for 72 hours before genomic DNA extraction. Genomic DNA was extracted using the QuickExtract DNA extraction kit (Epicentre) following the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, cells were resuspended in QuickExtract solution and incubated at 65° C. for 15 minutes and 98° C. for 10 minutes. Extracted genomic DNA was immediately processed or stored at −20° C.

The genomic region surrounding a CRISPR target site for each gene was PCR amplified, and products were purified using QiaQuick Spin Column (Qiagen) following manufacturer's protocol. A total of 400 ng of the purified PCR products were mixed with 2 μl 10X Taq polymerase PCR buffer (Enzymatics) and ultrapure water to a final volume of 20 μl, and subjected to a re-annealing process to enable heteroduplex formation: 95° C. for 10 min, 95° C. to 85° C. ramping at −2° C./s, 85° C. to 25° C. at −0.25° C./s, and 25° C. hold for 1 minute. After re-annealing, products were treated with Surveyor nuclease and Surveyor enhancer S (Transgenomics) following the manufacturer's recommended protocol, and analyzed on 4-20/0 Novex TBE poly-acrylamide gels (Life Technologies). Gels were stained with SYBR Gold DNA stain (Life Technologies) for 30 minutes and imaged with a Gel Doc gel imaging system (Bio-rad). Quantification was based on relative band intensities, as a measure of the fraction of cleaved DNA. FIG. 7 provides a schematic illustration of this Surveyor assay.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism assay for detection of homologous recombination.

HEK 293FT and N2A cells were transfected with plasmid DNA, and incubated at 37° C. for 72 hours before genomic DNA extraction as described above. The target genomic region was PCR amplified using primers outside the homology arms of the homologous recombination (HR) template. PCR products were separated on a 1% agarose gel and extracted with Minglute GelExtraction Kit (Qiagen). Purified products were digested with HindIII (Fermentas) and analyzed on a 6% Novex TBE poly-acrylamide gel (Life Technologies).

RNA Secondary Structure Prediction and Analysis

RNA secondary structure prediction was performed using the online webserver RNAfold developed at Institute for Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Vienna, using the centroid structure prediction algorithm (see e.g. A. R. Gruber et al., 2008, Cell 106(1): 23-24; and PA Carr and GM Church, 2009, Nature Biotechnology 27(12): 1151-62).

RNA Purification

HEK 293FT cells were maintained and transfected as stated above. Cells were harvested by trypsinization followed by washing in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Total cell RNA was extracted with TRI reagent (Sigma) following manufacturer's protocol. Extracted total RNA was quantified using Naonodrop (Thermo Scientific) and normalized to same concentration.

Northern blot analysis of crRNA and tracrRNA expression in mammalian cells

RNAs were mixed with equal volumes of 2× loading buffer (Ambion), heated to 95° C. for 5 min, chilled on ice for 1 min, and then loaded onto 8% denaturing polyacrylamide gels (SequaGel, National Diagnostics) after pre-running the gel for at least 30 minutes. The samples were electrophoresed for 1.5 hours at 40W limit. Afterwards, the RNA was transferred to Hybond N+ membrane (GE Healthcare) at 300 mA in a semi-dry transfer apparatus (Bio-rad) at room temperature for 1.5 hours. The RNA was crosslinked to the membrane using autocrosslink button on Stratagene UV Crosslinker the Stratalinker (Stratagene). The membrane was pre-hybridized in ULTRAhyb-Oligo Hybridization Buffer (Ambion) for 30 min with rotation at 42° C., and probes were then added and hybridized overnight. Probes were ordered from IDT and labeled with [gamma-³²P] ATP (Perkin Elmer) with T4 polynucleotide kinase (New England Biolabs). The membrane was washed once with pre-warmed (42° C.) 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS for 1 min followed by two 30 minute washes at 42° C. The membrane was exposed to a phosphor screen for one hour or overnight at room temperature and then scanned with a phosphorimager (Typhoon).

Bacterial CRISPR System Construction and Evaluation

CRISPR locus elements, including tracrRNA, Cas9, and leader were PCR amplified from Streptococcus pyogenes SF370 genomic DNA with flanking homology arms for Gibson Assembly. Two BsaI type IIS sites were introduced in between two direct repeats to facilitate easy insertion of spacers (FIG. 8). PCR products were cloned into EcoRV-digested pACYC184 downstream of the tet promoter using Gibson Assembly Master Mix (NEB). Other endogenous CRISPR system elements were omitted, with the exception of the last 50 bp of Csn2. Oligos (Integrated DNA Technology) encoding spacers with complimentary overhangs were cloned into the BsaI-digested vector pDC000 (NEB) and then ligated with T7 ligase (Enzymatics) to generate pCRISPR plasmids. Challenge plasmids containing spacers with PAM

expression in mammalian cells (expression constructs illustrated in FIG. 6A, with functionality as determined by results of the Surveyor assay shown in FIG. 6B). Transcription start sites are marked as +1, and transcription terminator and the sequence probed by northern blot are also indicated. Expression of processed tracrRNA was also confirmed by Northern blot. FIG. 6C shows results of a Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from 293FT cells transfected with U6 expression constructs carrying long or short tracrRNA, as well as SpCas9 and DR-EMX1(1)-DR. Left and right panels are from 293FT cells transfected without or with SpRNase III, respectively. U6 indicate loading control blotted with a probe targeting human U6 snRNA. Transfection of the short tracrRNA expression construct led to abundant levels of the processed form of tracrRNA (˜75 bp). Very low amounts of long tracrRNA are detected on the Northern blot.

To promote precise transcriptional initiation, the RNA polymerase III-based U6 promoter was selected to drive the expression of tracrRNA (FIG. 2C). Similarly, a U6 promoter-based construct was developed to express a pre-crRNA array consisting of a single spacer flanked by two direct repeats (DRs, also encompassed by the term “tracr-mate sequences”; FIG. 2C). The initial spacer was designed to target a 33-base-pair (bp) target site (30-bp protospacer plus a 3-bp CRISPR motif (PAM) sequence satisfying the NGG recognition motif of Cas9) in the human EMX1 locus (FIG. 2C), a key gene in the development of the cerebral cortex.

To test whether heterologous expression of the CRISPR system (SpCas9, SpRNase III, tracrRNA, and pre-crRNA) in mammalian cells can achieve targeted cleavage of mammalian chromosomes, HEK 293FT cells were transfected with combinations of CRISPR components. Since DSBs in mammalian nuclei are partially repaired by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway, which leads to the formation of indels, the Surveyor assay was used to detect potential cleavage activity at the target EMX1 locus (FIG. 7) (see e.g. Guschin et al., 2010, Methods Mol Biol 649: 247). Co-transfection of all four CRISPR components was able to induce up to 5.0% cleavage in the protospacer (see FIG. 2D). Co-transfection of all CRISPR components minus SpRNase III also induced up to 4.7% indel in the protospacer, suggesting that there may be endogenous mammalian RNases that are capable of assisting with crRNA maturation, such as for example the related Dicer and Drosha enzymes. Removing any of the remaining three components abolished the genome cleavage activity of the CRISPR system (FIG. 2D). Sanger sequencing of amplicons containing the target locus verified the cleavage activity: in 43 sequenced clones, 5 mutated alleles (11.6%) were found. Similar experiments using a variety of guide sequences produced indel percentages as high as 29% (see FIGS. 3-6, 10, and 11). These results define a three-component system for efficient CRISPR-mediated genome modification in mammalian cells. To optimize the cleavage efficiency, Applicants also tested whether different isoforms of tracrRNA affected the cleavage efficiency and found that, in this example system, only the short (89-bp) transcript form was able to mediate cleavage of the human EMX1 genomic locus (FIG. 6B).

FIG. 12 provides an additional Northern blot analysis of crRNA processing in mammalian cells. FIG. 12A illustrates a schematic showing the expression vector for a single spacer flanked by two direct repeats (DR-EMX1(1)-DR). The 30 bp spacer targeting the human EMX1 locus protospacer 1 (see FIG. 6) and the direct repeat sequences are shown in the sequence beneath FIG. 12A. The line indicates the region whose reverse-complement sequence was used to generate Northern blot probes for EMX1(1) crRNA detection. FIG. 12B shows a Northern blot analysis of total RNA extracted from 293FT cells transfected with U6 expression constructs carrying DR-EMX1(1)-DR. Left and right panels are from 293FT cells transfected without or with SpRNase III respectively. DR-EMX1(1)-DR was processed into mature crRNAs only in the presence of SpCas9 and short tracrRNA and was not dependent on the presence of SpRNase III. The mature crRNA detected from transfected 293FT total RNA is ˜33 bp and is shorter than the 39-42 bp mature crRNA from S. pyogenes. These results demonstrate that a CRISPR system can be transplanted into eukaryotic cells and reprogrammed to facilitate cleavage of endogenous mammalian target polynucleotides.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bacterial CRISPR system described in this example. FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic showing the CRISPR locus 1 from Streptococcus pyogenes SF370 and a proposed mechanism of CRISPR-mediated DNA cleavage by this system. Mature crRNA processed from the direct repeat-spacer array directs Cas9 to genomic targets consisting of complimentary protospacers and a protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM). Upon target-spacer base pairing, Cas9 mediates a double-strand break in the target DNA. FIG. 2B illustrates engineering of S. pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) and RNase III (SpRNase III) with nuclear localization signals (NLSs) to enable import into the mammalian nucleus. FIG. 2C illustrates mammalian expression of SpCas9 and SpRNase III driven by the constitutive EF1a promoter and tracrRNA and pre-crRNA array (DR-Spacer-DR) driven by the RNA Pol3 promoter U6 to promote precise transcription initiation and termination. A protospacer from the human EMX1 locus with a satisfactory PAM sequence is used as the spacer in the pre-crRNA array. FIG. 2D illustrates surveyor nuclease assay for SpCas9-mediated minor insertions and deletions. SpCas9 was expressed with and without SpRNase III, tracrRNA, and a pre-crRNA array carrying the EMX1-target spacer. FIG. 2E illustrates a schematic representation of base pairing between target locus and EMX1-targeting crRNA, as well as an example chromatogram showing a micro deletion adjacent to the SpCas9 cleavage site. FIG. 2F illustrates mutated alleles identified from sequencing analysis of 43 clonal amplicons showing a variety of micro insertions and deletions. Dashes indicate deleted bases, and non-aligned or mismatched bases indicate insertions or mutations. Scale bar=10 μm.

To further simplify the three-component system, a chimeric crRNA-tracrRNA hybrid design was adapted, where a mature crRNA (comprising a guide sequence) may be fused to a partial tracrRNA via a stem-loop to mimic the natural crRNA:tracrRNA duplex. To increase co-delivery efficiency, a bicistronic expression vector was created to drive co-expression of a chimeric RNA and SpCas9 in transfected cells. In parallel, the bicistronic vectors were used to express a pre-crRNA (DR-guide sequence-DR) with SpCas9, to induce processing into crRNA with a separately expressed tracrRNA (compare FIG. 11B top and bottom). FIG. 8 provides schematic illustrations of bicistronic expression vectors for pre-crRNA array (FIG. 8A) or chimeric crRNA (represented by the short line downstream of the guide sequence insertion site and upstream of the EF1α promoter in FIG. 8B) with hSpCas9, showing location of various elements and the point of guide sequence insertion. The expanded sequence around the location of the guide sequence insertion site in FIG. 8B also shows a partial DR sequence (GTTTTAGAGCTA SEQ ID NO: 90) and a partial tracrRNA sequence (TAGCAAGTTAAAATAAGGCTAGTCCGTTTTT SEQ ID NO: 91). Guide sequences can be inserted between BbsI sites using annealed oligonucleotides. Sequence design for the oligonucleotides are shown below the schematic illustrations in FIG. 8, with appropriate ligation adapters indicated. WPRE represents the Woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulatory element. The efficiency of chimeric RNA-mediated cleavage was tested by targeting the same EMX1 locus described above. Using both Surveyor assay and Sanger sequencing of amplicons, Applicants confirmed that the chimeric RNA design facilitates cleavage of human EMX1 locus with approximately a 4.7% modification rate (FIG. 3).

Generalizability of CRISPR-mediated cleavage in eukaryotic cells was tested by targeting additional genomic loci in both human and mouse cells by designing chimeric RNA targeting multiple sites in the human EMX1 and PVALB, as well as the mouse Th loci. FIG. 13 illustrates the selection of some additional targeted protospacers in human PVALB (FIG. 13A) and mouse Th (FIG. 13B) loci. Schematics of the gene loci and the location of three protospacers within the last exon of each are provided. The underlined sequences include 30 bp of protospacer sequence and 3 bp at the 3′ end corresponding to the PAM sequences. Protospacers on the sense and anti-sense strands are indicated above and below the DNA sequences, respectively. A modification rate of 6.3% and 0.75% was achieved for the human PVALB and mouse Th loci respectively, demonstrating the broad applicability of the CRISPR system in modifying different loci across multiple organisms (FIG. 5). While cleavage was only detected with one out of three spacers for each locus using the chimeric constructs, all target sequences were cleaved with efficiency of indel production reaching 27% when using the co-expressed pre-crRNA arrangement (FIGS. 6 and 13).

FIG. 11 provides a further illustration that SpCas9 can be reprogrammed to target multiple genomic loci in mammalian cells. FIG. 11A provides a schematic of the human EMX1 locus showing the location of five protospacers, indicated by the underlined sequences. FIG. 11B provides a schematic of the pre-crRNA/trcrRNA complex showing hybridization between the direct repeat region of the pre-crRNA and tracrRNA (top), and a schematic of a chimeric RNA design comprising a 20 bp guide sequence, and tracr mate and tracr sequences consisting of partial direct repeat and tracrRNA sequences hybridized in a hairpin structure (bottom). Results of a Surveyor assay comparing the efficacy of Cas9-mediated cleavage at five protospacers in the human EMX1 locus is illustrated in FIG. 11C. Each protospacer is targeted using either processed pre-crRNA/tracrRNA complex (crRNA) or chimeric RNA (chiRNA).

Since the secondary structure of RNA can be crucial for intermolecular interactions, a structure prediction algorithm based on minimum free energy and Boltzmann-weighted structure ensemble was used to compare the putative secondary structure of all guide sequences used in the genome targeting experiment (see e.g. Gruber et al., 2008, Nucleic Acids Research, 36: W70). Analysis revealed that in most cases, the effective guide sequences in the chimeric crRNA context were substantially free of secondary structure motifs, whereas the ineffective guide sequences were more likely to form internal secondary structures that could prevent base pairing with the target protospacer DNA. It is thus possible that variability in the spacer secondary structure might impact the efficiency of CRISPR-mediated interference when using a chimeric crRNA.

Further vector designs for SpCas9 are shown in FIG. 22, which illustrates single expression vectors incorporating a U6 promoter linked to an insertion site for a guide oligo, and a Cbh promoter linked to SpCas9 coding sequence. The vector shown in FIG. 22b includes a tracrRNA coding sequence linked to an H1 promoter.

In the bacterial assay, all spacers facilitated efficient CRISPR interference (FIG. 3C). These results suggest that there may be additional factors affecting the efficiency of CRISPR activity in mammalian cells.

To investigate the specificity of CRISPR-mediated cleavage, the effect of single-nucleotide mutations in the guide sequence on protospacer cleavage in the mammalian genome was analyzed using a series of EMX1-targeting chimeric crRNAs with single point mutations (FIG. 3A). FIG. 3B illustrates results of a Surveyor nuclease assay comparing the cleavage efficiency of Cas9 when paired with different mutant chimeric RNAs. Single-base mismatch up to 12-bp 5′ of the PAM substantially abrogated genomic cleavage by SpCas9, whereas spacers with mutations at farther upstream positions retained activity against the original protospacer target (FIG. 3B). In addition to the PAM, SpCas9 has single-base specificity within the last 12-bp of the spacer. Furthermore, CRISPR is able to mediate genomic cleavage as efficiently as a pair of TALE nucleases (TALEN) targeting the same EMX1 protospacer. FIG. 3C provides a schematic showing the design of TALENs targeting EMX1, and FIG. 3D shows a Surveyor gel comparing the efficiency of TALEN and Cas9 (n=3).

Having established a set of components for achieving CRISPR-mediated gene editing in mammalian cells through the error-prone NHEJ mechanism, the ability of CRISPR to stimulate homologous recombination (HR), a high fidelity gene repair pathway for making precise edits in the genome, was tested. The wild type SpCas9 is able to mediate site-specific DSBs, which can be repaired through both NHEJ and HR. In addition, an aspartate-to-alanine substitution (D10A) in the RuvC I catalytic domain of SpCas9 was engineered to convert the nuclease into a nickase (SpCas9n; illustrated in FIG. 4A) (see e.g. Sapranausaks et al., 2011, Nucleic Acids Resch, 39: 9275; Gasiunas et al., 2012, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 109:E2579), such that nicked genomic DNA undergoes the high-fidelity homology-directed repair (HDR). Surveyor assay confirmed that SpCas9n does not generate indels at the EMX1 protospacer target. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, co-expression of EMX1-targeting chimeric crRNA with SpCas9 produced indels in the target site, whereas co-expression with SpCas9n did not (n=3). Moreover, sequencing of 327 amplicons did not detect any indels induced by SpCas9n. The same locus was selected to test CRISPR-mediated HR by co-transfecting HEK 293FT cells with the chimeric RNA targeting EMX1, hSpCas9 or hSpCas9n, as well as a HR template to introduce a pair of restriction sites (HindIII and NheI) near the protospacer. FIG. 4C provides a schematic illustration of the HR strategy, with relative locations of recombination points and primer annealing sequences (arrows). SpCas9 and SpCas9n indeed catalyzed integration of the HR template into the EMX1 locus. PCR amplification of the target region followed by restriction digest with HindIII revealed cleavage products corresponding to expected fragment sizes (arrows in restriction fragment length polymorphism gel analysis shown in FIG. 4D), with SpCas9 and SpCas9n mediating similar levels of HR efficiencies. Applicants further verified HR using Sanger sequencing of genomic amplicons (FIG. 4E). These results demonstrate the utility of CRISPR for facilitating targeted gene insertion in the mammalian genome. Given the 14-bp (12-bp from the spacer and 2-bp from the PAM) target specificity of the wild type SpCas9, the availability of a nickase can significantly reduce the likelihood of off-target modifications, since single strand breaks are not substrates for the error-prone NHEJ pathway.

Expression constructs mimicking the natural architecture of CRISPR loci with arrayed spacers (FIG. 2A) were constructed to test the possibility of multiplexed sequence targeting. Using a single CRISPR array encoding a pair of EMX1- and PVALB-targeting spacers, efficient cleavage at both loci was detected (FIG. 4F, showing both a schematic design of the crRNA array and a Surveyor blot showing efficient mediation of cleavage). Targeted deletion of larger genomic regions through concurrent DSBs using spacers against two targets within EMX1 spaced by 119 bp was also tested, and a 1.6% deletion efficacy (3 out of 182 amplicons; FIG. 4G) was detected. This demonstrates that the CRISPR system can mediate multiplexed editing within a single genome.

Example 2: CRISPR System Modifications and Alternatives

The ability to use RNA to program sequence-specific DNA cleavage defines a new class of genome engineering tools for a variety of research and industrial applications. Several aspects of the CRISPR system can be further improved to increase the efficiency and versatility of CRISPR targeting. Optimal Cas9 activity may depend on the availability of free Mg²⁺ at levels higher than that present in the mammalian nucleus (see e.g. Jinek et al., 2012, Science, 337:816), and the preference for an NGG motif immediately downstream of the protospacer restricts the ability to target on average every 12-bp in the human genome (FIG. 9, evaluating both plus and minus strands of human chromosomal sequences). Some of these constraints can be overcome by exploring the diversity of CRISPR loci across the microbial metagenome (see e.g. Makarova et al., 2011, Nat Rev Microbiol, 9:467). Other CRISPR loci may be transplanted into the mammalian cellular milieu by a process similar to that described in Example 1. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates adaptation of the Type II CRISPR system from CRISPR 1 of Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9 for heterologous expression in mammalian cells to achieve CRISPR-mediated genome editing. FIG. 10A provides a Schematic illustration of CRISPR 1 from S. thermophilus LMD-9. FIG. 10B illustrates the design of an expression system for the S. thermophilus CRISPR system. Human codon-optimized hStCas9 is expressed using a constitutive EF1α promoter. Mature versions of tracrRNA and crRNA are expressed using the U6 promoter to promote precise transcription initiation. Sequences from the mature crRNA and tracrRNA are illustrated. A single base indicated by the lower case “a” in the crRNA sequence is used to remove the polyU sequence, which serves as a RNA polIII transcriptional terminator. FIG. 10C provides a schematic showing guide sequences targeting the human FAIX1 locus. FIG. 10D shows the results of hStCas9-mediated cleavage in the target locus using the Surveyor assay. RNA guide spacers 1 and 2 induced 14% and 6.4%, respectively. Statistical analysis of cleavage activity across biological replica at these two protospacer sites is also provided in FIG. 5. FIG. 14 provides a schematic of additional protospacer and corresponding PAM sequence targets of the S. thermophilus CRISPR system in the human EMX1 locus. Two protospacer sequences are highlighted and their corresponding PAM sequences satisfying NNAGAAW motif are indicated by underlining 3′ with respect to the corresponding highlighted sequence. Both protospacers target the anti-sense strand.

Example 3: Sample Target Sequence Selection Algorithm

A software program is designed to identify candidate CRISPR target sequences on both strands of an input DNA sequence based on desired guide sequence length and a CRISPR motif sequence (PAM) for a specified CRISPR enzyme. For example, target sites for Cas9 from S. pyogenes, with PAM sequences NGG, may be identified by searching for 5′-Nx-NGG-3′ both on the input sequence and on the reverse-complement of the input. Likewise, target sites for Cas9 of S. thermophilus CRISPR1, with PAM sequence NNAGAAW, may be identified by searching for 5′-Nx-NNAGAAW-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 92) both on the input sequence and on the reverse-complement of the input. Likewise, target sites for Cas9 of S. thermophilus CRISPR3, with PAM sequence NGGNG, may be identified by searching for 5′-Nx-NGGNG-3′ both on the input sequence and on the reverse-complement of the input. The value “x” in Nx may be fixed by the program or specified by the user, such as 20.

Since multiple occurrences in the genome of the DNA target site may lead to nonspecific genome editing, after identifying all potential sites, the program filters out sequences based on the number of times they appear in the relevant reference genome. For those CRISPR enzymes for which sequence specificity is determined by a ‘seed’ sequence, such as the 11-12 bp 5′ from the PAM sequence, including the PAM sequence itself, the filtering step may be based on the seed sequence. Thus, to avoid editing at additional genomic loci, results are filtered based on the number of occurrences of the seed:PAM sequence in the relevant genome. The user may be allowed to choose the length of the seed sequence. The user may also be allowed to specify the number of occurrences of the seed:PAM sequence in a genome for purposes of passing the filter. The default is to screen for unique sequences. Filtration level is altered by changing both the length of the seed sequence and the number of occurrences of the sequence in the genome. The program may in addition or alternatively provide the sequence of a guide sequence complementary to the reported target sequence(s) by providing the reverse complement of the identified target sequence(s). An example visualization of some target sites in the human genome is provided in FIG. 18.

Further details of methods and algorithms to optimize sequence selection can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/064,798 (Attorney docket 44790.11.2022; Broad Reference BI-2012/084); incorporated herein by reference.

Example 4: Evaluation of Multiple Chimeric crRNA-tracrRNA Hybrids

This example describes results obtained for chimeric RNAs (chiRNAs; comprising a guide sequence, a tracr mate sequence, and a tracr sequence in a single transcript) having tracr sequences that incorporate different lengths of wild-type tracrRNA sequence. FIG. 16a illustrates a schematic of a bicistronic expression vector for chimeric RNA and Cas9. Cas9 is driven by the CBh promoter and the chimeric RNA is driven by a U6 promoter. The chimeric guide RNA consists of a 20 bp guide sequence (Ns) joined to the tracr sequence (running from the first “U” of the lower strand to the end of the transcript), which is truncated at various positions as indicated. The guide and tracr sequences are separated by the tracr-mate sequence GUUUUAGAGCUA (SEQ ID NO: 63) followed by the loop sequence GAAA. Results of SURVEYOR assays for Cas9-mediated indels at the human EMX1 and PVALB loci are illustrated in FIGS. 16b and 16c , respectively. Arrows indicate the expected SURVEYOR fragments. ChiRNAs are indicated by their “+n” designation, and crRNA refers to a hybrid RNA where guide and tracr sequences are expressed as separate transcripts. Quantification of these results, performed in triplicate, are illustrated by histogram in FIGS. 17a and 17b , corresponding to FIGS. 16b and 16c , respectively (“N.D.” indicates no indels detected). Protospacer IDs and their corresponding genomic target, protospacer sequence, PAM sequence, and strand location are provided in Table 10. Guide sequences were designed to be complementary to the entire protospacer sequence in the case of separate transcripts in the hybrid system, or only to the underlined portion in the case of chimeric RNAs.

TABLE10 protospacer genomic protospacer ID target sequence (5′ to 3′) PAM strand 1 EMX1 GGACATCGATGTCACCTCCA TGG + ATGACTAGGG 2 EMX1 CATTGGAGGTGACATCGATG TGG − TCCTCCCCAT 3 EMX1 GGAAGGGCCTGAGTCCGAGC GGG + AGAAGAAGAA 4 PVALB GGTGGCGAGAGGGGCCGAGA AGG + TTGGGTGTTC 5 PVALB ATGCAGGAGGGTGGCGAGAG TGG + GGGCCGAGAT

These are SEQ ID NOS: 93 to 97, respectively.

Further details to optimize guide sequences can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 61/836,127 (Attorney docket 44790.08.2022; Broad Reference BI-2013/004G); incorporated herein by reference.

Initially, three sites within the EMX1 locus in human HEK 293FT cells were targeted. Genome modification efficiency of each chiRNA was assessed using the SURVEYOR nuclease assay, which detects mutations resulting from DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their subsequent repair by the non-homologous end joining (NHFJ) DNA damage repair pathway. Constructs designated chiRNA(+n) indicate that up to the +n nucleotide of wild-type tracrRNA is included in the chimeric RNA construct, with values of 48, 54, 67, and 85 used for n. Chimeric RNAs containing longer fragments of wild-type tracrRNA (chiRNA(+67) and chiRNA(+85)) mediated DNA cleavage at all three EMX1 target sites, with chiRNA(+85) in particular demonstrating significantly higher levels of DNA cleavage than the corresponding crRNA/tracrRNA hybrids that expressed guide and tracr sequences in separate transcripts (FIGS. 16b and 17a ). Two sites in the PVALB locus that yielded no detectable cleavage using the hybrid system (guide sequence and tracr sequence expressed as separate transcripts) were also targeted using chiRNAs. chiRNA(+67) and chiRNA(+85) were able to mediate significant cleavage at the two PVALB protospacers (FIGS. 16c and 17b ).

For all five targets in the EMX1 and PVALB loci, a consistent increase in genome modification efficiency with increasing tracr sequence length was observed. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, the secondary structure formed by the 3′ end of the tracrRNA may play a role in enhancing the rate of CRISPR complex formation.

Example 5: Cas9 Diversity

The CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune mechanism against invading exogenous DNA employed by diverse species across bacteria and archaea. The type II CRISPR-Cas9 system consists of a set of genes encoding proteins responsible for the “acquisition” of foreign DNA into the CRISPR locus, as well as a set of genes encoding the “execution” of the DNA cleavage mechanism; these include the DNA nuclease (Cas9), a non-coding transactivating cr-RNA (tracrRNA), and an array of foreign DNA-derived spacers flanked by direct repeats (crRNAs). Upon maturation by Cas9, the tracRNA and crRNA duplex guide the Cas9 nuclease to a target DNA sequence specified by the spacer guide sequences, and mediates double-stranded breaks in the DNA near a short sequence motif in the target DNA that is required for cleavage and specific to each CRISPR-Cas system. The type II CRISPR-Cas systems are found throughout the bacterial kingdom and highly diverse in in Cas9 protein sequence and size, tracrRNA and crRNA direct repeat sequence, genome organization of these elements, and the motif requirement for target cleavage. One species may have multiple distinct CRISPR-Cas systems.

Applicants evaluated 207 putative Cas9s from bacterial species identified based on sequence homology to known Cas9s and structures orthologous to known subdomains, including the HNH endonuclease domain and the RuvC endonuclease domains [information from the Eugene Koonin and Kira Makarova]. Phylogenetic analysis based on the protein sequence conservation of this set revealed five families of Cas9s, including three groups of large Cas9s (˜1400 amino acids) and two of small Cas9s (˜1100 amino acids) (see FIGS. 19 and 20A-F).

Further details of Cas9s and mutations of the Cas9 enzyme to convert into a nickase or DNA binding protein and use of same with altered functionality can be found in U.S. application Serial Nos 61/836,101 and 61/835,936 (Attorney docket 44790.09.2022 and 4790.07.2022 and Broad Reference BI-2013/004E and BI-2013/004F respectively) incorporated herein by reference.

Example 6: Cas9 Orthologs

Applicants analyzed Cas9 orthologs to identify the relevant PAM sequences and the corresponding chimeric guide RNA. Having an expanded set of PAMs provides broader targeting across the genome and also significantly increases the number of unique target sites and provides potential for identifying novel Cas9s with increased levels of specificity in the genome.

The specificity of Cas9 orthologs can be evaluated by testing the ability of each Cas9 to tolerate mismatches between the guide RNA and its DNA target. For example, the specificity of SpCas9 has been characterized by testing the effect of mutations in the guide RNA on cleavage efficiency. Libraries of guide RNAs were made with single or multiple mismatches between the guide sequence and the target DNA. Based on these findings, target sites for SpCas9 can be selected based on the following guidelines:

To maximize SpCas9 specificity for editing a particular gene, one should choose a target site within the locus of interest such that potential ‘off-target’ genomic sequences abide by the following four constraints: First and foremost, they should not be followed by a PAM with either 5′-NGG or NAG sequences. Second, their global sequence similarity to the target sequence should be minimized. Third, a maximal number of mismatches should lie within the PAM-proximal region of the off-target site. Finally, a maximal number of mismatches should be consecutive or spaced less than four bases apart.

Similar methods can be used to evaluate the specificity of other Cas9 orthologs and to establish criteria for the selection of specific target sites within the genomes of target species. As mentioned previously phylogenetic analysis based on the protein sequence conservation of this set revealed five families of Cas9s, including three groups of large Cas9s (˜1400 amino acids) and two of small Cas9s (˜1100 amino acids) (see FIGS. 19 and 20A-F). Further details on Cas orthologs can be found in U.S. application Serial Nos 61/836,101 and 61/835,936 (Attorney docket 44790.09.2022 and 4790.07.2022 and Broad Reference BI-2013/004E and BI-2013/004F respectively) incorporated herein by reference.

Example 7: Methodological Improvement to Simplify Cloning and Delivery

Rather than encoding the U6-promoter and guide RNA on a plasmid, Applicants amplified the U6 promoter with a DNA oligo to add on the guide RNA. The resulting PCR product may be transfected into cells to drive expression of the guide RNA.

Example primer pair that allows the generation a PCR product consisting of U6-promoter::guideRNA targeting human Emx1 locus:

Forward Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 98) AAACTCTAGAgagggcctatttcccatgattc Reverse Primer (carrying the guide RNA, which is underlined): (SEQ ID NO: 99) acctctagAAAAAAAGCACCGACTCGGTGCCACTTTTTCAAGTTGATAAC GGACTAGCCTTATTTTAACTTGCTATGCTGTTTTGTTTCCAAAACAGCAT AGCTCTAAAACCCCTAGTCATTGGAGGTGACGGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCAC aag

Example 8: Methodological Improvement to Improve Activity

Rather than use pol3 promoters, in particular RNA polymerase III (e.g. U6 or H1 promoters), to express guide RNAs in eukaryotic cells, Applicants express the T7 polymerase in eukaryotic cells to drive expression of guide RNAs using the T7 promoter.

One example of this system may involve introduction of three pieces of DNA:

1. expression vector for Cas9

2. expression vector for T7 polymerase

3. expression vector containing guideRNA fused to the T7 promoter

Example 9: Methodological Improvement to Reduce Toxicity of Cas9: Delivery of Cas9 in the Form of mRNA

Delivery of Cas9 in the form of mRNA enables transient expression of Cas9 in cells, to reduce toxicity. For example, humanized SpCas9 may be amplified using the following primer pair:

Forward Primer (to add on T7 promoter for in vitro transcription): (SEQ ID NO: 100) TAATACGACTCACTATAGGAAGTGCGCCACCATGGCCCCAAAGAAGAAGC GG Reverse Primer (to add on polyA tail): (SEQ ID NO: 101) GGTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTttcttaCTTTTTCTTTTT TGCCTGGCCG

Applicants transfect the Cas9 mRNA into cells with either guide RNA in the form of RNA or DNA cassettes to drive guide RNA expression in eukaryotic cells.

Example 10: Methodological Improvement to Reduce Toxicity of Cas9: Use of an Inducible Promoter

Applicants transiently turn on Cas9 expression only when it is needed for carrying out genome modification. Examples of inducible system include tetracycline inducible promoters (Tet-On or Tet-Off), small molecule two-hybrid transcription activations systems (FKBP, ABA, etc), or light inducible systems (Phytochrome, LOV domains, or cryptochrome).

Example 11: Improvement of the Cas9 System for In Vivo Application

Applicants conducted a Metagenomic search for a Cas9 with small molecular weight. Most Cas9 homologs are fairly large. For example the SpCas9 is around 1368aa long, which is too large to be easily packaged into viral vectors for delivery. A graph representing the length distribution of Cas9 homologs is generated from sequences deposited in GenBank (FIG. 23). Some of the sequences may have been mis-annotated and therefore the exact frequency for each length may not necessarily be accurate. Nevertheless it provides a glimpse at distribution of Cas9 proteins and suggest that there are shorter Cas9 homologs.

Through computational analysis, Applicants found that in the bacterial strain Campylobacter, there are two Cas9 proteins with less than 1000 amino acids. The sequence for one Cas9 from Campylobacter jejuni is presented below. At this length, CjCas9 can be easily packaged into AAV, lentiviruses, Adenoviruses, and other viral vectors for robust delivery into primary cells and in vivo in animal models. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the Cas9 protein from S. aureus is used.

>Campylobacter jejuni Cas9 (CjCas9) (SEQ ID NO: 102) MARILAFDIGISSIGWAFSENDELKDCGVRIFTKVENPKTGESLALPRRL ARSARKRLARRKARLNHLKHLIANEFKLNYEDYQSFDESLAKAYKGSLIS PYELRFRALNELLSKQDFARVILHIAKRRGYDDIKNSDDKEKGAILKAIK QNEEKLANYQSVGEYLYKEYFQKFKENSKEFTNVRNKKESYERCIAQSFL KDELKLIFKKQREFGFSFSKKFEEEVLSVAFYKRALKDFSHLVGNCSFFT DEKRAPKNSPLAFMFVALTRIINLLNNLKNTEGILYTKDDLNALLNEVLK NGTLTYKQTKKLLGLSDDYEFKGEKGTYFIEFKKYKEFIKALGEHNLSQD DLNEIAKDITLIKDEIKLKKALAKYDLNQNQIDSLSKLEFKDHLNISFKA LKLVTPLMLEGKKYDEACNELNLKVAINEDKKDFLPAFNETYYKDEVTNP VVLRAIKEYRKVLNALLKKYGKVHKINIELAREVGKNHSQRAKIEKEQNE NYKAKKDAELECEKLGLKINSKNILKLRLFKEQKEFCAYSGEKIKISDLQ DEKMLEIDHIYPYSRSFDDSYMNKVLVFTKQNQEKLNQTPFEAFGNDSAK WQKIEVLAKNLPTKKQKRILDKNYKDKEQKNFKDRNLNDTRYIARLVLNY TKDYLDFLPLSDDENTKLNDTQKGSKVHVEAKSGMLTSALRHTWGFSAKD RNNHLHHAIDAVIIAYANNSIVKAFSDFKKEQESNSAELYAKKISELDYK NKRKFFEPFSGFRQKVLDKIDEIFVSKPERKKPSGALHEETFRKEEEFYQ SYGGKEGVLKALELGKIRKVNGKIVKNGDMFRVDIFKHKKTNKFYAVPIY TMDFALKVLPNKAVARSKKGEIKDWILMDENYEFCFSLYKDSLILIQTKD MQEPEFVYYNAFTSSTVSLIVSKHDNKFETLSKNQKILFKNANEKEVIAK SIGIQNLKVFEKYIVSALGEVTKAEFRQREDFKK. The putative tracrRNA element for this CjCas9 is: (SEQ ID NO: 103) TATAATCTCATAAGAAATTTAAAAAGGGACTAAAATAAAGAGTTTGCGGG ACTCTGCGGGGTTACAATCCCCTAAAACCGCTTTTAAAATT The Direct Repeat sequence is: (SEQ ID NO: 104) ATTTTACCATAAAGAAATTTAAAAAGGGACTAAAAC An example of a chimeric guideRNA for CjCas9 is: (SEQ ID NO: 105) NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGUUUUAGUCCCGAAAGGGACUAAAAUAAAG AGUUUGCGGGACUCUGCGGGGUUACAAUCCCCUAAAACCGCUUUU

Example 12: Cas9 Optimization

For enhanced function or to develop new functions, Applicants generate chimeric Cas9 proteins by combining fragments from different Cas9 homologs. For example, two example chimeric Cas9 proteins:

For example, Applicants fused the N-term of StlCas9 (fragment from this protein is in bold) with C-term of SpCas9 (fragment from this protein is underlined).

>St1(N)Sp(C)Cas9 (SEQ ID NO: 106) MSDLVLGLDIGIGSVGVGILNKVTGEIIHKNSRIFPAAQAENNLVRRTNR QGRRLARRKKHRRVRLNRLFEESGLITDFTKISINLNPYQLRVKGLTDEL SNEELFIALKNMVKHRGISYLDDASDDGNSSVGDYAQIVKENSKQLETKT PGQIQLERYQTYGQLRGDFTVEKDGKKHRLINVFPTSAYRSEALRILQTQ QEFNPQITDEFINRYLEILTGKRKYYHGPGNEKSRTDYGRYRTSGETLDN IFGILIGKCTFYPDEFRAAKASYTAQEFNLLNDLNNLTVPTETKKLSKEQ KNQIINYVKNEKAMGPAKLFKYIAKLLSCDVADIKGYRIDKSGKAEIHTF EAYRKMKTLETLDIEQMDRETLDKLAYVLTLNTEREGIQEALEHEFADGS FSQKQVDELVQFRKANSSIFGKGWHNFSVKLMMELIPELYETSEEQMTIL TRLGKQKTTSSSNKTKYIDEKLLTEEIYNPVVAKSVRQAIKIVNAAIKEY GDFDNIVIEMARENQTTQKGQKNSRERMKRIEEGIKELGSQILKEHPVEN TQLQNEKLYLYYLQNGRDMYVDQELDINRLSDYDVDHIVPQSFLKDDSID NKVLTRSDKNRGKSDNVPSEEVVKKMKNYWRQLLNAKLITQRKFDNLTKA ERGGLSELDKAGFIKRQLVETRQITKHVAQILDSRMNTKYDENDKLIREV KVITLKSKLVSDFRKDFQFYKVREINNYHHAHDAYLNAVVGTALIKKYPK LESEFVYGDYKVYDVRKMIAKSEQEIGKATAKYFFYSNIMNFFKTEITLA NGEIRKRPLIETNGETGEIVWDKGRDFATVRKVLSMPQVNIVKKTEVQTG GFSKESILPKRNSDKLIARKKDWDPKKYGGFDSPTVAYSVLVVAKVEKGK SKKLKSVKELLGITIMERSSFEKNPIDFLEAKGYKEVKKDLIIKLPKYSL FELENGRKRMLASAGELQKGNELALPSKYVNFLYLASHYEKLKGSPEDNE QKQLFVEQHKHYLDEIIEQISEFSKRVILADANLDKVLSAYNKHRDKPIR EQAENIIHLFTLTNLGAPAAFKYFDTTIDRKRYTSTKEVLDATLIHQSIT GLYETRIDLSQLGGD >Sp(N)St1(C)Cas9 (SEQ ID NO: 107) MDKKYSIGLDIGTNSVGWAVITDEYKVPSKKFKVLGNTDRHSIKKNLIGA LLFDSGETAEATRLKRTARRRYTRRKNRICYLQEIFSNEMAKVDDSFFHR LEESFLVEEDKKHERHPIFGNIVDEVAYHEKYPTIYHLRKKLVDSTDKAD LRLIYLALAHMIKFRGHFLIEGDLNPDNSDVDKLFIQLVQTYNQLFEENP INASGVDAKAILSARLSKSRRLENLIAQLPGEKKNGLFGNLIALSLGLTP NFKSNFDLAEDAKLQLSKDTYDDDLDNLLAQIGDQYADLFLAAKNLSDAI LLSDILRVNTEITKAPLSASMIKRYDEHHQDLTLLKALVRQQLPEKYKEI FFDQSKNGYAGYIDGGASQEEFYKFIKPILEKMDGTEELLVKLNREDLLR KQRTFDNGSIPHQIHLGELHAILRRQEDFYPFLKDNREKIEKILTFRIPY YVGPLARGNSRFAWMTRKSEETITPWNFEEVVDKGASAQSFIERMTNFDK NLPNEKVLPKHSLLYEYFTVYNELTKVKYVTEGMRKPAFLSGEQKKAIVD LLFKTNRKVTVKQLKEDYFKKIECFDSVEISGVEDRFNASLGTYHDLLKI IKDKDFLDNEENEDILEDIVLTLTLFEDREMIEERLKTYAHLFDDKVMKQ LKRRRYTGWGRLSRKLINGIRDKQSGKTILDFLKSDGFANRNFMQLIHDD SLTFKEDIQKAQVSGQGDSLHEHIANLAGSPAIKKGILQTVKVVDELVKV MGRHKPENIVIEMARETNEDDEKKAIQKIQKANKDEKDAAMLKAANQYNG KAELPHSVFHGHKQLATKIRLWHQQGERCLYTGKTISIHDLINNSNQFEV DHILPLSITFDDSLANKVLVYATANQEKGQRTPYQALDSMDDAWSFRELK AFVRESKTLSNKKKEYLLTEEDISKFDVRKKFIERNLVDTRYASRVVLNA LQEHFRAHKIDTKVSVVRGQFTSQLRRHWGIEKTRDTYHHHAVDALIIAA SSQLNLWKKQKNTLVSYSEDQLLDIETGELISDDEYKESVFKAPYQHFVD TLKSKEFEDSILFSYQVDSKFNRKISDATIYATRQAKVGKDKADETYVLG KIKDIYTQDGYDAFMKIYKKDKSKFLMYRHDPQTFEKVIEPILENYPNKQ INEKGKEVPCNPFLKYKEEHGYIRKYSKKGNGPEIKSLKYYDSKLGNHID ITPKDSNNKVVLQSVSPWRADVYFNKTTGKYEILGLKYADLQFEKGTGTY KISQEKYNDIKKKEGVDSDSEFKFTLYKNDLLLVKDTETKEQQLFRFLSR TMPKQKHYVELKPYDKQKFEGGEALIKVLGNVANSGQCKKGLGKSNISIY KVRTDVLGNQHIIKNEGDKPKLDF

The benefit of making chimeric Cas9 include:

reduce toxicity

improve expression in eukaryotic cells

enhance specificity

reduce molecular weight of protein, make protein smaller by combining the smallest domains from different Cas9 homologs.

Altering the PAM sequence requirement

Example 13: Utilization of Cas9 as a Generic DNA Binding Protein

Applicants used Cas9 as a generic DNA binding protein by mutating the two catalytic domains (D10 and H840) responsible for cleaving both strands of the DNA target. In order to upregulate gene transcription at a target locus Applicants fused the transcriptional activation domain (VP64) to Cas9. Applicants hypothesized that it would be important to see strong nuclear localization of the Cas9-VP64 fusion protein because transcription factor activation strength is a function of time spent at the target. Therefore, Applicants cloned a set of Cas9-VP64-GFP constructs, transfected them into 293 cells and assessed their localization under a fluorescent microscope 12 hours post-transfection.

The same constructs were cloned as a 2A-GFP rather than a direct fusion in order to functionally test the constructs without a bulky GFP present to interfere. Applicants elected to target the Sox2 locus with the Cas9 transactivator because it could be useful for cellular reprogram and the locus has already been validated as a target for TALE-TF mediated transcriptional activation. For the Sox2 locus Applicants chose eight targets near the transcriptional start site (TSS). Each target was 20 bp long with a neighboring NGG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM). Each Cas9-VP64 construct was co-transfected with each PCR generated chimeric crispr RNA (chiRNA) in 293 cells. 72 hours post transfection the transcriptional activation was assessed using RT-qPCR.

To further optimize the transcriptional activator, Applicants titrated the ratio of chiRNA (Sox2.1 and Sox2.5) to Cas9 (NLS-VP64-NLS-hSpCas9-NLS-VP64-NLS), transfected into 293 cells, and quantified using RT-qPCR. These results indicate that Cas9 can be used as a generic DNA binding domain to upregulate gene transcription at a target locus.

Applicants designed a second generation of constructs. (Table 11 below) (“6×His” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 575).

TABLE 11 pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-VP64-NLS- hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A)-NLS pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-VP64-NLS- hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A) pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-VP64-NLS-NLS- hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A) pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A)-NLS pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A) pLenti-EF1a-GFP-2A-6xHis-NLS-NLS-hSpCsn1(D10A, H840A)

Applicants use these constructs to assess transcriptional activation (VP64 fused constructs) and repression (Cas9 only) by RT-qPCR. Applicants assess the cellular localization of each construct using anti-His antibody, nuclease activity using a Surveyor nuclease assay, and DNA binding affinity using a gel shift assay. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gel shift assay is an EMSA gel shift assay.

Example 14: Cas9 Transgenic and Knock in Mice

To generate a mouse that expresses the Cas9 nuclease Applicants submit two general strategies, transgenic and knock in. These strategies may be applied to generate any other model organism of interest, for e.g. Rat. For each of the general strategies Applicants made a constitutively active Cas9 and a Cas9 that is conditionally expressed (Cre recombinase dependent). The constitutively active Cas9 nuclease is expressed in the following context: pCAG-NLS-Cas9-NLS-P2A-EGFP-WPRE-bGHpolyA. pCAG is the promoter, NLS is a nuclear localization signal, P2A is the peptide cleavage sequence, EGFP is enhanced green fluorescent protein, WPRE is the woodchuck hepatitis virus posttranscriptional regulatory element, and bGHpolyA is the bovine growth hormone poly-A signal sequence (FIGS. 25A-B). The conditional version has one additional stop cassette element, loxP-SV40 polyA x3-loxP, after the promoter and before NLS-Cas9-NLS (i.e. pCAG-loxP-SV40polyAx3-loxP-NLS-Cas9-NLS-P2A-EGFP-WPRE-bGHpolyA). The important expression elements can be visualized as in FIG. 26. The constitutive construct should be expressed in all cell types throughout development, whereas, the conditional construct will only allow Cas9 expression when the same cell is expressing the Cre recombinase. This latter version will allow for tissue specific expression of Cas9 when Cre is under the expression of a tissue specific promoter. Moreover, Cas9 expression could be induced in adult mice by putting Cre under the expression of an inducible promoter such as the TET on or off system.

Validation of Cas9 constructs: Each plasmid was functionally validated in three ways: 1) transient transfection in 293 cells followed by confirmation of GFP expression; 2) transient transfection in 293 cells followed by immunofluorescence using an antibody recognizing the P2A sequence; and 3) transient transfection followed by Surveyor nuclease assay. The 293 cells may be 293FT or 293 T cells depending on the cells that are of interest. In a preferred embodiment the cells are 293FT cells. The results of the Surveyor were run out on the top and bottom row of the gel for the conditional and constitutive constructs, respectively. Each was tested in the presence and absence of chimeric RNA targeted to the hEMX1 locus (chimeric RNA hEMX1.1). The results indicate that the construct can successfully target the hEMX1 locus only in the presence of chimeric RNA (and Cre in the conditional case). The gel was quantified and the results are presented as average cutting efficiency and standard deviation for three samples.

Transgenic Cas9 mouse: To generate transgenic mice with constructs, Applicants inject pure, linear DNA into the pronucleus of a zygote from a pseudo pregnant CB56 female. Founders are identified, genotyped, and backcrossed to CB57 mice. The constructs were successfully cloned and verified by Sanger sequencing.

Knock in Cas9 mouse: To generate Cas9 knock in mice Applicants target the same constitutive and conditional constructs to the Rosa26 locus. Applicants did this by cloning each into a Rosa26 targeting vector with the following elements: Rosa26 short homology arm—constitutive/conditional Cas9 expression cassette—pPGK-Neo-Rosa26 long homology arm—pPGK-DTA. pPGK is the promoter for the positive selection marker Neo, which confers resistance to neomycin, a 1 kb short arm, a 4.3 kb long arm, and a negative selection diphtheria toxin (DTA) driven by PGK.

The two constructs were electroporated into R1 mESCs and allowed to grow for 2 days before neomycin selection was applied. Individual colonies that had survived by days 5-7 were picked and grown in individual wells. 5-7 days later the colonies were harvested, half were frozen and the other half were used for genotyping. Genotyping was done by genomic PCR, where one primer annealed within the donor plasmid (AttpF) and the other outside of the short homology arm (Rosa26-R) Of the 22 colonies harvested for the conditional case, 7 were positive (Left). Of the 27 colonies harvested for the constitutive case, zero were positive (Right). It is likely that Cas9 causes some level of toxicity in the mESC and for this reason there were no positive clones. To test this Applicants introduced a Cre expression plasmid into correctly targeted conditional Cas9 cells and found very low toxicity after many days in culture. The reduced copy number of Cas9 in correctly targeted conditional Cas9 cells (1-2 copies per cell) is enough to allow stable expression and relatively no cytotoxicity. Moreover, this data indicates that the Cas9 copy number determines toxicity. After electroporation each cell should get several copies of Cas9 and this is likely why no positive colonies were found in the case of the constitutive Cas9 construct. This provides strong evidence that utilizing a conditional, Cre-dependent strategy should show reduced toxicity. Applicants inject correctly targeted cells into a blastocyst and implant into a female mouse. Chimerics are identified and backcrossed. Founders are identified and genotyped.

Utility of the conditional Cas9 mouse: Applicants have shown in 293 cells that the Cas9 conditional expression construct can be activated by co-expression with Cre. Applicants also show that the correctly targeted R1 mESCs can have active Cas9 when Cre is expressed. Because Cas9 is followed by the P2A peptide cleavage sequence and then EGFP Applicants identify successful expression by observing EGFP. This same concept is what makes the conditional Cas9 mouse so useful. Applicants may cross their conditional Cas9 mouse with a mouse that ubiquitously expresses Cre (ACTB-Cre line) and may arrive at a mouse that expresses Cas9 in every cell. It should only take the delivery of chimeric RNA to induce genome editing in embryonic or adult mice. Interestingly, if the conditional Cas9 mouse is crossed with a mouse expressing Cre under a tissue specific promoter, there should only be Cas9 in the tissues that also express Cre. This approach may be used to edit the genome in only precise tissues by delivering chimeric RNA to the same tissue.

Example 15: Cas9 Diversity and Chimeric RNAs

The CRISPR-Cas system is an adaptive immune mechanism against invading exogenous DNA employed by diverse species across bacteria and archaea. The type II CRISPR-Cas system consists of a set of genes encoding proteins responsible for the “acquisition” of foreign DNA into the CRISPR locus, as well as a set of genes encoding the “execution” of the DNA cleavage mechanism; these include the DNA nuclease (Cas9), a non-coding transactivating cr-RNA (tracrRNA), and an array of foreign DNA-derived spacers flanked by direct repeats (crRNAs). Upon maturation by Cas9, the tracrRNA and crRNA duplex guide the Cas9 nuclease to a target DNA sequence specified by the spacer guide sequences, and mediates double-stranded breaks in the DNA near a short sequence motif in the target DNA that is required for cleavage and specific to each CRISPR-Cas system. The type II CRISPR-Cas systems are found throughout the bacterial kingdom and highly diverse in in Cas9 protein sequence and size, tracrRNA and crRNA direct repeat sequence, genome organization of these elements, and the motif requirement for target cleavage. One species may have multiple distinct CRISPR-Cas systems.

Applicants evaluated 207 putative Cas9s from bacterial species identified based on sequence homology to known Cas9s and structures orthologous to known subdomains, including the HNH endonuclease domain and the RuvC endonuclease domains [information from the Eugene Koonin and Kira Makarova]. Phylogenetic analysis based on the protein sequence conservation of this set revealed five families of Cas9s, including three groups of large Cas9s (˜1400 amino acids) and two of small Cas9s (˜1100 amino acids) (FIGS. 19A-D and 20A-F).

Applicants have also optimized Cas9 guide RNA using in vitro methods.

Example 16: Cas9 Mutations

In this example, Applicants show that the following mutations can convert SpCas9 into a nicking enzyme: D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A, D986A.

Applicants provide sequences showing where the mutation points are located within the SpCas9 gene (FIG. 24A-M). Applicants also show that the nickases are still able to mediate homologous recombination. Furthermore, Applicants show that SpCas9 with these mutations (individually) do not induce double strand break.

Cas9 orthologs all share the general organization of 3-4 RuvC domains and a HNH domain. The 5′ most RuvC domain cleaves the non-complementary strand, and the HNH domain cleaves the complementary strand. All notations are in reference to the guide sequence.

The catalytic residue in the 5′ RuvC domain is identified through homology comparison of the Cas9 of interest with other Cas9 orthologs (from S. pyogenes type II CRISPR locus, S. thermophilus CRISPR locus 1, S. thermophilus CRISPR locus 3, and Franciscilla novicida type II CRISPR locus), and the conserved Asp residue is mutated to alanine to convert Cas9 into a complementary-strand nicking enzyme. Similarly, the conserved His and Asn residues in the HNH domains are mutated to Alanine to convert Cas9 into a non-complementary-strand nicking enzyme.

Example 17. Cas9 Transcriptional Activation and Cas9 Repressor

Cas9 Transcriptional Activation

A second generation of constructs were designed and tested (Table 1). These constructs are used to assess transcriptional activation (VP64 fused constructs) and repression (Cas9 only) by RT-qPCR. Applicants assess the cellular localization of each construct using anti-His antibody, nuclease activity using a Surveyor nuclease assay, and DNA binding affinity using a gel shift assay.

Cas Repressor

It has been shown previously that dCas9 can be used as a generic DNA binding domain to repress gene expression. Applicants report an improved dCas9 design as well as dCas9 fusions to the repressor domains KRAB and SID4x. From the plasmid library created for modulating transcription using Cas9 in Table 1, the following repressor plasmids were functionally characterized by qPCR: pXRP27, pXRP28, pXRP29, pXRP48, pXRP49, pXRP50, pXRP51, pXRP52, pXRP53, pXRP56, pXRP58, pXRP59, pXRP61, and pXRP62.

Each dCas9 repressor plasmid was co-transfected with two guide RNAs targeted to the coding strand of the beta-catenin gene. RNA was isolated 72 hours after transfection and gene expression was quantified by RT-qPCR. The endogenous control gene was GAPDH. Two validated shRNAs were used as positive controls. Negative controls were certain plasmids transfected without gRNA, these are denoted as “pXRP ## control”. The plasmids pXRP28, pXRP29, pXRP48, and pXRP49 could repress the beta-catenin gene when using the specified targeting strategy. These plasmids correspond to dCas9 without a functional domain (pXRP28 and pXRP28) and dCas9 fused to SID4x (pXRP48 and pXRP49).

Further work investigates: repeating the above experiment, targeting different genes, utilizing other gRNAs to determine the optimal targeting position, and multiplexed repression.

Table 12 (Table 12 discloses “GGGGS₃” as SEQ ID NO: 108, “EAAAK₃” as SEQ ID NO: 109 and “GGGGGS₃” as SEQ ID NO: 110)

TABLE 12 pXRP024-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP025-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP026-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP027-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP028-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-dCas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP029-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP030-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP031-pLenti2-pPGK-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP032-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP033-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker- dCas9-NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP034-pLenti2-pPGK-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP035-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP036-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP037-pLenti2-pPGK-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP038-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP048-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4x-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP049-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4X-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker- dCas9-NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP050-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4X-NILS-EAAAK₃Linker- dCas9-NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP051-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-FLAG-Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP052-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP053-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-dCas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP054-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-VP64- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP055-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-SID4X- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP056-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-KRAB- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP057-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-VP64-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP058-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-SID4X- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP059-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-KRAB-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP060-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-VP64-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP061-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-SID4X-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP062-pLenti2-EF1a-dCas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-KRAB-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP024-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP025-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP026-pLenti2-EF1a-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP027-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP028-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP029-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP030-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP031-pLenti2-pP GK-VP64-NLS-FLAG-L inker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP032-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9-NLS- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP033-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP034-pLenti2-pPGK-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP035-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP036-pLenti2-pSV40-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP037-pLenti2-pPGK-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP038-pLenti2-LTR-VP64-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP048-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4x-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP049-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4X-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP050-pLenti2-EF1a-SID4X-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker- Cas9-NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP051-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-FLAG-Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP052-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-GGGGS₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP053-pLenti2-EF1a-KRAB-NLS-EAAAK₃Linker-Cas9- NLS-gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP054-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-VP64- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP055-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-SID4X- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP056-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-Linker-FLAG-NLS-KRAB- gLuc-2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP057-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-VP64-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP058-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-SID4X-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP059-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-GGGGGS₃-NLS-KRAB-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP060-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-VP64-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP061-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-SID4X-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE pXRP062-pLenti2-EF1a-Cas9-EAAAK₃-NLS-KRAB-gLuc- 2A-GFP-WPRE

Example 18: Targeted Deletion of Genes Involved in Cholesterol Biosynthesis, Fatty Acid Biosynthesis, and Other Metabolic Disorders, Genes Encoding Mis-Folded Proteins Involved in Amyloid and Other Diseases, Oncogenes Leading to Cellular Transformation, Latent Viral Genes, and Genes Leading to Dominant-Negative Disorders, Amongst Other Disorders

Applicants demonstrate gene delivery of a CRISPR-Cas system in the liver, brain, ocular, epithelial, hematopoetic, or another tissue of a subject or a patient in need thereof, suffering from metabolic disorders, amyloidosis and protein-aggregation related diseases, cellular transformation arising from genetic mutations and translocations, dominant negative effects of gene mutations, latent viral infections, and other related symptoms, using either viral or nanoparticle delivery system.

Study Design: Subjects or patients in need thereof suffering from metabolic disorders, amyloidosis and protein aggregation related disease which include but are not limited to human, non-primate human, canine, feline, bovine, equine, other domestic animals and related mammals. The CRISPR-Cas system is guided by a chimeric guide RNA and targets a specific site of the human genomic loci to be cleaved. After cleavage and non-homologous end-joining mediated repair, frame-shift mutation results in knock out of genes.

Applicants select guide-RNAs targeting genes involved in above-mentioned disorders to be specific to endogenous loci with minimal off-target activity. Two or more guide RNAs may be encoded into a single CRISPR array to induce simultaneous double-stranded breaks in DNA leading to micro-deletions of affected genes or chromosomal regions.

Identification and Design of Gene Targets

For each candidate disease gene, Applicants select DNA sequences of interest include protein-coding exons, sequences including and flanking known dominant negative mutation sites, sequences including and flanking pathological repetitive sequences. For gene-knockout approaches, early coding exons closest to the start codon offer best options for achieving complete knockout and minimize possibility of truncated protein products retaining partial function.

Applicants analyze sequences of interest for all possible targetable 20-bp sequences immediately 5′ to a NGG motif (for SpCas9 system) or a NNAGAAW (for StlCas9 system). Applicants choose sequences for unique, single RNA-guided Cas9 recognition in the genome to minimize off-target effects based on computational algorithm to determine specificity.

Cloning of Guide Sequences into a Delivery System

Guide sequences are synthesized as double-stranded 20-24 bp oligonucleotides. After 5′-phosphorylation treatment of oligos and annealing to form duplexes, oligos are ligated into suitable vector depending on the delivery method:

Virus-Based Delivery Methods

AAV-based vectors (PX260, 330, 334, 335) have been described elsewhere

Lentiviral-based vectors use a similar cloning strategy of directly ligating guide sequences into a single vector carrying a U6 promoter-driven chimeric RNA scaffold and a EF1a promoter-driven Cas9 or Cas9 nickase.

Virus production is described elsewhere.

Nanoparticle-Based RNA Delivery Methods

1. Guide sequences are synthesized as an oligonucleotide duplex encoding T7 promoter—guide sequence—chimeric RNA. A T7 promoter is added 5′ of Cas9 by PCR method.

2. T7-driven Cas9 and guide-chimeric RNAs are transcribed in vitro, and Cas9 mRNA is further capped and A-tailed using commercial kits. RNA products are purified per kit instructions.

Hydrodynamic Tail Vein Delivery Methods (for Mouse)

Guide sequences are cloned into AAV plasmids as described above and elsewhere in this application.

In Vitro Validation on Cell Lines

Transfection

1. DNA plasmid transfection

Plasmids carrying guide sequences are transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) or human embryonic stem (hES) cells, other relevant cell types using lipid-, chemical-, or electroporation-based methods. For a 24-well transfection of HEK293T cells (˜260,000 cells), 500 ng of total DNA is transfected into each single well using Lipofectamine 2000. For a 12-well transfection of hES cells, 1 ug of total DNA is transfected into a single well using Fugene HD.

2. RNA Transfection

Purified RNA described above is used for transfection into HEK293T cells. 1-2 ug of RNA may be transfected into ˜260,000 using Lipofectamine 2000 per manufacturer's instruction. RNA delivery of Cas9 and chimeric RNA is shown in FIG. 28.

Assay of Indel Formation In Vitro

Cells are harvested 72-hours post-transfection and assayed for indel formation as an indication of double-stranded breaks.

Briefly, genomic region around target sequence is PCR amplified (˜400-600 bp amplicon size) using high-fidelity polymerase. Products are purified, normalized to equal concentration, and slowly annealed from 95° C. to 4° C. to allow formation of DNA heteroduplexes. Post annealing, the Cel-I enzyme is used to cleave heteroduplexes, and resulting products are separated on a polyacrylamide gel and indel efficiency calculated.

In vivo proof of principle in animal

Delivery Mechanisms

AAV or Lentivirus production is described elsewhere.

Nanoparticle formulation: RNA mixed into nanoparticle formulation

Hydrodynamic tail vein injections with DNA plasmids in mice are conducted using a commercial kit

Cas9 and guide sequences are delivered as virus, nanoparticle-coated RNA mixture, or DNA plasmids, and injected into subject animals. A parallel set of control animals is injected with sterile saline, Cas9 and GFP, or guide sequence and GFP alone.

Three weeks after injection, animals are tested for amelioration of symptoms and sacrificed. Relevant organ systems analyzed for indel formation. Phenotypic assays include blood levels of HDL, LDL, lipids,

Assay for Indel Formation

DNA is extracted from tissue using commercial kits; indel assay will be performed as described for in vitro demonstration.

Therapeutic applications of the CRISPR-Cas system are amenable for achieving tissue-specific and temporally controlled targeted deletion of candidate disease genes. Examples include genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, amyloid diseases, dominant negative diseases, latent viral infections, among other disorders.

Examples of a single guide-RNA to introduce targeted indels at a gene locus

SEQ Disease GENE SPACER PAM ID NO: Mechanism References Hyper- HMG-CR GCCAAATTGG CGG 111 Knockout Fluvastatin: a review of its cholesterolemia ACGACCCTCG pharmacology and use in the management of hypercholesterol- aemia. (Plosker GL et al. Drugs 1996, 51(3): 433-459) Hyper- SQLE CGAGGAGACC TGG 112 Knockout Potential role of nonstatin cholesterolemia CCCGTTTCGG cholesterol lowering agents (Trapani et al. IUBMB Life, Volume 63, Issue 11, pages 964-971, November 2011) Hyperlipidemia DGAT1 CCCGCCGCCG AGG 113 Knockout DGAT1 inhibitors as anti-obesity CCGTGGCTCG and anti-diabetic agents (Birch AM et al. Current Opinion in Drug Recovery & Development [2010, 13(4): 489-496) Leukemia BCR-ABL TGAGCTCTAC AGG 114 Knockout Killing of leukemic cells with a GAGATCCACA BCR/ABL fusion gene by RNA interference (RNAi). (Fuchs et al. Oncogene 2002, 21(37): 5716-5724)

Examples of a pair of guide-RNA to introduce chromosomal microdeletion at a gene locus

SEQ Disease GENE SPACER PAM ID NO: Mechanism References Hyperlipidemia PLIN2 CTCAAAATTC TGG 115 Microdeletion Perilipin-2 Null Mice are guide1 ATACCGGTTG Protected Against Diet-Induced Obesity, Adipose Inflammation and Fatty Liver Disease (McManaman J L et al. The Journal of Lipid Research, jlr.M035063. First Published on Feb. 12, 2013) Hyperlipidemia PLIN2 CGTTAAACAA TGG 116 Microdeletion guide2 CAACCGGACT Hyperlipidemia SREBP TTCACCCCGC ggg 117 Microdeletion Inhibition of SREBP by a Small guide1 GGCGCTGAAT Molecule, Betulin, Improves Hyperlipidemia and Insulin Resistance and Reduces Atherosclerotic Plaques (Tang J et al. Cell Metabolism, Volume 13, Issue 1, 44-56, 5 Jan. 2011) Hyperlipidemia SREBP ACCACTACCA agg 118 Microdeletion guide2 GTCCGTCCAC

Example 19: Targeted Integration of Repair for Genes Carrying Disease-Causing Mutations; Reconstitution of Enzyme Deficiencies and Other Related Diseases

Study Design

I. Identification and design of gene targets

Described in Example 22

II. Cloning of guide sequences and repair templates into a delivery system

Described above in Example 22

Applicants clone DNA repair templates to include homology arms with diseased allele as well a wild-type repair template

III. In vitro validation on cell lines a. Transfection is described above in Example 22; Cas9, guide RNAs, and repair template are co-transfected into relevant cell types. b. Assay for repair in vitro i. Applicants harvest cells 72-hours post-transfection and assay for repair ii. Briefly, Applicants amplify genomic region around repair template PCR using high-fidelity polymerase. Applicants sequence products for decreased incidence of mutant allele. IV. In vivo proof of principle in animal a. Delivery mechanisms are described above Examples 22 and 34. b. Assay for repair in vivo i. Applicants perform the repair assay as described in the in vitro demonstration. V. Therapeutic applications The CRISPR-Cas system is amenable for achieving tissue-specific and temporally controlled targeted deletion of candidate disease genes. Examples include genes involved in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, amyloid diseases, dominant negative diseases, latent viral infections, among other disorders.

Example of one single missense mutation with repair template:

Disease GENE SPACER PAM Mechanism References Familila amyloid TTR AGCCTTTCTGAACACATGCA CGG V30M repair Transthyretin mutations in health polyneuropathy (SEQ ID NO: 119) and disease (Joao et al. Human Mutation, Volume 5, Issue 3, pages 191-196, 1995) V30M CCTGCCATCAATGTGGCCATGCATGTGTTCAG allele AAAGGCT (SEQ ID ON: 20) WT allele CCTGCCATCAATGTGGCCGTGCATGTGTTCAG AAAGGCT (SEQ ID NO: 121)

Example 20: Therapeutic Application of the CRISPR-Cas System in Glaucoma, Amyloidosis, and Huntington's Disease

Glaucoma: Applicants design guide RNAs to target the first exon of the mycilin (MYOC) gene. Applicants use adenovirus vectors (Ad5) to package both Cas9 as well as a guide RNA targeting the MYOC gene. Applicants inject adenoviral vectors into the trabecular meshwork where cells have been implicated in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. Applicants initially test this out in mouse models carrying the mutated MYOC gene to see whether they improve visual acuity and decrease pressure in the eyes. Therapeutic application in humans employ a similar strategy.

Amyloidosis: Applicants design guide RNAs to target the first exon of the transthyretin (TTR) gene in the liver. Applicants use AAV8 to package Cas9 as well as guide RNA targeting the first exon of the TTR gene. AAV8 has been shown to have efficient targeting of the liver and will be administered intravenously. Cas9 can be driven either using liver specific promoters such as the albumin promoter, or using a constitutive promoter. A pol3 promoter drives the guide RNA.

Alternatively, Applicants utilize hydrodynamic delivery of plasmid DNA to knockout the TTR gene. Applicants deliver a plasmid encoding Cas9 and the guideRNA targeting Exon1 of TTR.

As a further alternative approach, Applicants administer a combination of RNA (mRNA for Cas9, and guide RNA). RNA can be packaged using liposomes such as Invivofectamine from Life Technologies and delivered intravenously. To reduce RNA-induced immunogenicity, increase the level of Cas9 expression and guide RNA stability, Applicants modify the Cas9 mRNA using 5′ capping. Applicants also incorporate modified RNA nucleotides into Cas9 mRNA and guide RNA to increase their stability and reduce immunogenicity (e.g. activation of TLR). To increase efficiency, Applicants administer multiple doses of the virus, DNA, or RNA.

Huntington's Disease: Applicants design guide RNA based on allele specific mutations in the HTT gene of patients. For example, in a patient who is heterozygous for HTT with expanded CAG repeat, Applicants identify nucleotide sequences unique to the mutant HTT allele and use it to design guideRNA. Applicants ensure that the mutant base is located within the last 9 bp of the guide RNA (which Applicants have ascertained has the ability to discriminate between single DNA base mismatches between the target size and the guide RNA).

Applicants package the mutant HTT allele specific guide RNA and Cas9 into AAV9 and deliver into the striatum of Huntington's patients. Virus is injected into the striatum stereotactically via a craniotomy. AAV9 is known to transduce neurons efficiently. Applicants drive Cas9 using a neuron specific promoter such as human Synapsin I.

Example 21: Therapeutic Application of the CRISPR-Cas System in HIV

Chronic viral infection is a source of significant morbidity and mortality. While there exists for many of these viruses conventional antiviral therapies that effectively target various aspects of viral replication, current therapeutic modalities are usually non-curative in nature due to “viral latency.” By its nature, viral latency is characterized by a dormant phase in the viral life cycle without active viral production. During this period, the virus is largely able to evade both immune surveillance and conventional therapeutics allowing for it to establish long-standing viral reservoirs within the host from which subsequent re-activation can permit continued propagation and transmission of virus. Key to viral latency is the ability to stably maintain the viral genome, accomplished either through episomal or proviral latency, which stores the viral genome in the cytoplasm or integrates it into the host genome, respectively. In the absence of effective vaccinations which would prevent primary infection, chronic viral infections characterized by latent reservoirs and episodes of lytic activity can have significant consequences: human papilloma virus (HPV) can result in cervical cancer, hepatitis C virus (HCV) predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma, and human immunodeficiency virus eventually destroys the host immune system resulting in susceptibility to opportunistic infections. As such, these infections require life-long use of currently available antiviral therapeutics. Further complicating matters is the high mutability of many of these viral genomes which lead to the evolution of resistant strains for which there exists no effective therapy.

The CRISPR-Cas system is a bacterial adaptive immune system able to induce double-stranded DNA breaks (DSB) in a multiplex-able, sequence-specific manner and has been recently re-constituted within mammalian cell systems. It has been shown that targeting DNA with one or numerous guide-RNAs can result in both indels and deletions of the intervening sequences, respectively. As such, this new technology represents a means by which targeted and multiplexed DNA mutagenesis can be accomplished within a single cell with high efficiency and specificity. Consequently, delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system directed against viral DNA sequences could allow for targeted disruption and deletion of latent viral genomes even in the absence of ongoing viral production.

As an example, chronic infection by HIV-1 represents a global health issue with 33 million individuals infected and an annual incidence of 2.6 million infections. The use of the multimodal highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which simultaneously targets multiple aspects of viral replication, has allowed HIV infection to be largely managed as a chronic, not terminal, illness. Without treatment, progression of HIV to AIDS occurs usually within 9-10 years resulting in depletion of the host immune system and occurrence of opportunistic infections usually leading to death soon thereafter. Secondary to viral latency, discontinuation of HAART invariably leads to viral rebound. Moreover, even temporary disruptions in therapy can select for resistant strains of HIV uncontrollable by available means. Additionally, the costs of HAART therapy are significant: within the US $10,000-15,0000 per person per year. As such, treatment approaches directly targeting the HIV genome rather than the process of viral replication represents a means by which eradication of latent reservoirs could allow for a curative therapeutic option.

Development and delivery of an HIV-1 targeted CRISPR-Cas system represents a unique approach differentiable from existing means of targeted DNA mutagenesis, i.e. ZFN and TALENs, with numerous therapeutic implications. Targeted disruption and deletion of the HIV-1 genome by CRISPR-mediated DSB and indels in conjunction with HAART could allow for simultaneous prevention of active viral production as well as depletion of latent viral reservoirs within the host.

Once integrated within the host immune system, the CRISPR-Cas system allows for generation of a HIV-1 resistant sub-population that, even in the absence of complete viral eradication, could allow for maintenance and re-constitution of host immune activity. This could potentially prevent primary infection by disruption of the viral genome preventing viral production and integration, representing a means to “vaccination”. Multiplexed nature of the CRISPR-Cas system allows targeting of multiple aspects of the genome simultaneously within individual cells.

As in HAART, viral escape by mutagenesis is minimized by requiring acquisition of multiple adaptive mutations concurrently. Multiple strains of HIV-1 can be targeted simultaneously which minimizes the chance of super-infection and prevents subsequent creation of new recombinants strains. Nucleotide, rather than protein, mediated sequence-specificity of the CRISPR-Cas system allows for rapid generation of therapeutics without need for significantly altering delivery mechanism.

In order to accomplish this, Applicants generate CRISPR-Cas guide RNAs that target the vast majority of the HIV-1 genome while taking into account HIV-1 strain variants for maximal coverage and effectiveness. Sequence analyses of genomic conservation between HIV-1 subtypes and variants should allow for targeting of flanking conserved regions of the genome with the aims of deleting intervening viral sequences or induction of frame-shift mutations which would disrupt viral gene functions.

Applicants accomplish delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system by conventional adenoviral or lentiviral-mediated infection of the host immune system. Depending on approach, host immune cells could be a) isolated, transduced with CRISPR-Cas, selected, and re-introduced in to the host or b) transduced in vivo by systemic delivery of the CRISPR-Cas system. The first approach allows for generation of a resistant immune population whereas the second is more likely to target latent viral reservoirs within the host.

TABLE 13 Examples of potential HIV-1 targeted spacers adapted from Mcintyre et al, which generated shRNAs against HIV-1 optimized for maximal coverage of HIV-1 variants. CACTGCTTAAGCCTCGCTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 122) TCACCAGCAATATTCGCTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 123) CACCAGCAATATTCCGCTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 124) TAGCAACAGACATACGCTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 125) GGGCAGTAGTAATACGCTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 126) CCAATTCCCATACATTATTGTAC (SEQ ID NO: 127)

Example 22: Targeted Correction of deltaF508 or Other Mutations in Cystic Fibrosis

An aspect of the invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition that may comprise an CRISPR-Cas gene therapy particle and a biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier. According to another aspect, a method of gene therapy for the treatment of a subject having a mutation in the CFTR gene comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CRISPR-Cas gene therapy particle to the cells of a subject.

This Example demonstrates gene transfer or gene delivery of a CRISPR-Cas system in airways of subject or a patient in need thereof, suffering from cystic fibrosis or from cystic fibrosis related symptoms, using adeno-associated virus (AAV) particles.

Study Design: Subjects or patients in need there of: Human, non-primate human, canine, feline, bovine, equine and other domestic animals, related. This study tests efficacy of gene transfer of a CRISPR-Cas system by a AAV vector. Applicants determine transgene levels sufficient for gene expression and utilize a CRISPR-Cas system comprising a Cas9 enzyme to target deltaF508 or other CFTR-inducing mutations.

The treated subjects receive pharmaceutically effective amount of aerosolized AAV vector system per lung endobronchially delivered while spontaneously breathing. The control subjects receive equivalent amount of a pseudotyped AAV vector system with an internal control gene. The vector system may be delivered along with a pharmaceutically acceptable or biocompatible pharmaceutical carrier. Three weeks or an appropriate time interval following vector administration, treated subjects are tested for amelioration of cystic fibrosis related symptoms.

Applicants Use an Adenovirus or an AAV Particle.

Applicants clone the following gene constructs, each operably linked to one or more regulatory sequences (Cbh or EF1a promoter for Cas9, U6 or H1 promoter for chimeric guide RNA), into one or more adenovirus or AAV vectors or any other compatible vector: A CFTRdelta508 targeting chimeric guide RNA (FIG. 31B), a repair template for deltaF508 mutation (FIG. 31C) and a codon optimized Cas9 enzyme with optionally one or more nuclear localization signal or sequence(s) (NLS(s)), e.g., two (2) NLSs.

Identification of Cas9 target site

Applicants analyzed the human CFTR genomic locus and identified the Cas9 target site (FIG. 31A). (PAM may contain a NGG or a NNAGAAW motif).

Gene Repair Strategy

Applicants introduce an adenovirus/AAV vector system comprising a Cas9 (or Cas9 nickase) and the guide RNA along with a adenovirus/AAV vector system comprising the homology repair template containing the F508 residue into the subject via one of the methods of delivery discussed earlier. The CRISPR-Cas system is guided by the CFTRdelta 508 chimeric guide RNA and targets a specific site of the CFTR genomic locus to be nicked or cleaved. After cleavage, the repair template is inserted into the cleavage site via homologous recombination correcting the deletion that results in cystic fibrosis or causes cystic fibrosis related symptoms. This strategy to direct delivery and provide systemic introduction of CRISPR systems with appropriate guide RNAs can be employed to target genetic mutations to edit or otherwise manipulate genes that cause metabolic, liver, kidney and protein diseases and disorders such as those in Table B.

Example 23: Generation of Gene Knockout Cell Library

This example demonstrates how to generate a library of cells where each cell has a single gene knocked out:

Applicants make a library of ES cells where each cell has a single gene knocked out, and the entire library of ES cells will have every single gene knocked out. This library is useful for the screening of gene function in cellular processes as well as diseases.

To make this cell library, Applicants integrate Cas9 driven by an inducible promoter (e.g. doxycycline inducible promoter) into the ES cell. In addition, Applicants integrate a single guide RNA targeting a specific gene in the ES cell. To make the ES cell library, Applicants simply mix ES cells with a library of genes encoding guide RNAs targeting each gene in the human genome. Applicants first introduce a single BxB1 attB site into the AAVS1 locus of the human ES cell. Then Applicants use the BxB1 integrase to facilitate the integration of individual guide RNA genes into the BxB1 attB site in AAVS1 locus. To facilitate integration, each guide RNA gene is contained on a plasmid that carries of a single attP site. This way BxB1 will recombine the attB site in the genome with the attP site on the guide RNA containing plasmid.

To generate the cell library, Applicants take the library of cells that have single guide RNAs integrated and induce Cas9 expression. After induction, Cas9 mediates double strand break at sites specified by the guide RNA. To verify the diversity of this cell library, Applicants carry out whole exome sequencing to ensure that Applicants are able to observe mutations in every single targeted gene. This cell library can be used for a variety of applications, including who library-based screens, or can be sorted into individual cell clones to facilitate rapid generation of clonal cell lines with individual human genes knocked out.

Example 24: Engineering of Microalgae Using Cas9

Methods of Delivering Cas9

Method 1: Applicants deliver Cas9 and guide RNA using a vector that expresses Cas9 under the control of a constitutive promoter such as Hsp70A-Rbc S2 or Beta2-tubulin.

Method 2: Applicants deliver Cas9 and T7 polymerase using vectors that expresses Cas9 and T7 polymerase under the control of a constitutive promoter such as Hsp70A-Rbc S2 or Beta2-tubulin. Guide RNA will be delivered using a vector containing T7 promoter driving the guide RNA.

Method 3: Applicants deliver Cas9 mRNA and in vitro transcribed guide RNA to algae cells. RNA can be in vitro transcribed. Cas9 mRNA will consist of the coding region for Cas9 as well as 3′UTR from Cop1 to ensure stabilization of the Cas9 mRNA.

For Homologous recombination, Applicants provide an additional homology directed repair template.

Sequence for a cassette driving the expression of Cas9 under the control of beta-2 tubulin promoter, followed by the 3′ UTR of Cop1.

(SEQ ID NO: 128) TCTTTCTTGCGCTATGACACTTCCAGCAAAAGGTAGGGCGGGCTGCGAGA CGGCTTCCCGGCGCTGCATGCAACACCGATGATGCTTCGACCCCCCGAAG CTCCTTCGGGGCTGCATGGGCGCTCCGATGCCGCTCCAGGGCGAGCGCTG TTTAAATAGCCAGGCCCCCGATTGCAAAGACATTATAGCGAGCTACCAAA GCCATATTCAAACACCTAGATCACTACCACTTCTACACAGGCCACTCGAG CTTGTGATCGCACTCCGCTAAGGGGGCGCCTCTTCCTCTTCGTTTCAGTC ACAACCCGCAAACATGTACCCATACGATGTTCCAGATTACGCTTCGCCGA AGAAAAAGCGCAAGGTCGAAGCGTCCGACAAGAAGTACAGCATCGGCCTG GACATCGGCACCAACTCTGTGGGCTGGGCCGTGATCACCGACGAGTACAA GGTGCCCAGCAAGAAATTCAAGGTGCTGGGCAACACCGACCGGCACAGCA TCAAGAAGAACCTGATCGGAGCCCTGCTGTTCGACAGCGGCGAAACAGCC GAGGCCACCCGGCTGAAGAGAACCGCCAGAAGAAGATACACCAGACGGAA GAACCGGATCTGCTATCTGCAAGAGATCTTCAGCAACGAGATGGCCAAGG TGGACGACAGCTTCTTCCACAGACTGGAAGAGTCCTTCCTGGTGGAAGAG GATAAGAAGCACGAGCGGCACCCCATCTTCGGCAACATCGTGGACGAGGT GGCCTACCACGAGAAGTACCCCACCATCTACCACCTGAGAAAGAAACTGG TGGACAGCACCGACAAGGCCGACCTGCGGCTGATCTATCTGGCCCTGGCC CACATGATCAAGTTCCGGGGCCACTTCCTGATCGAGGGCGACCTGAACCC CGACAACAGCGACGTGGACAAGCTGTTCATCCAGCTGGTGCAGACCTACA ACCAGCTGTTCGAGGAAAACCCCATCAACGCCAGCGGCGTGGACGCCAAG GCCATCCTGTCTGCCAGACTGAGCAAGAGCAGACGGCTGGAAAATCTGAT CGCCCAGCTGCCCGGCGAGAAGAAGAATGGCCTGTTCGGCAACCTGATTG CCCTGAGCCTGGGCCTGACCCCCAACTTCAAGAGCAACTTCGACCTGGCC GAGGATGCCAAACTGCAGCTGAGCAAGGACACCTACGACGACGACCTGGA CAACCTGCTGGCCCAGATCGGCGACCAGTACGCCGACCTGTTTCTGGCCG CCAAGAACCTGTCCGACGCCATCCTGCTGAGCGACATCCTGAGAGTGAAC ACCGAGATCACCAAGGCCCCCCTGAGCGCCTCTATGATCAAGAGATACGA CGAGCACCACCAGGACCTGACCCTGCTGAAAGCTCTCGTGCGGCAGCAGC TGCCTGAGAAGTACAAAGAGATTTTCTTCGACCAGAGCAAGAACGGCTAC GCCGGCTACATTGACGGCGGAGCCAGCCAGGAAGAGTTCTACAAGTTCAT CAAGCCCATCCTGGAAAAGATGGACGGCACCGAGGAACTGCTCGTGAAGC TGAACAGAGAGGACCTGCTGCGGAAGCAGCGGACCTTCGACAACGGCAGC ATCCCCCACCAGATCCACCTGGGAGAGCTGCACGCCATTCTGCGGCGGCA GGAAGATTTTTACCCATTCCTGAAGGACAACCGGGAAAAGATCGAGAAGA TCCTGACCTTCCGCATCCCCTACTACGTGGGCCCTCTGGCCAGGGGAAAC AGCAGATTCGCCTGGATGACCAGAAAGAGCGAGGAAACCATCACCCCCTG GAACTTCGAGGAAGTGGTGGACAAGGGCGCTTCCGCCCAGAGCTTCATCG AGCGGATGACCAACTTCGATAAGAACCTGCCCAACGAGAAGGTGCTGCCC AAGCACAGCCTGCTGTACGAGTACTTCACCGTGTATAACGAGCTGACCAA AGTGAAATACGTGACCGAGGGAATGAGAAAGCCCGCCTTCCTGAGCGGCG AGCAGAAAAAGGCCATCGTGGACCTGCTGTTCAAGACCAACCGGAAAGTG ACCGTGAAGCAGCTGAAAGAGGACTACTTCAAGAAAATCGAGTGCTTCGA CTCCGTGGAAATCTCCGGCGTGGAAGATCGGTTCAACGCCTCCCTGGGCA CATACCACGATCTGCTGAAAATTATCAAGGACAAGGACTTCCTGGACAAT GAGGAAAACGAGGACATTCTGGAAGATATCGTGCTGACCCTGACACTGTT TGAGGACAGAGAGATGATCGAGGAACGGCTGAAAACCTATGCCCACCTGT TCGACGACAAAGTGATGAAGCAGCTGAAGCGGCGGAGATACACCGGCTGG GGCAGGCTGAGCCGGAAGCTGATCAACGGCATCCGGGACAAGCAGTCCGG CAAGACAATCCTGGATTTCCTGAAGTCCGACGGCTTCGCCAACAGAAACT TCATGCAGCTGATCCACGACGACAGCCTGACCTTTAAAGAGGACATCCAG AAAGCCCAGGTGTCCGGCCAGGGCGATAGCCTGCACGAGCACATTGCCAA TCTGGCCGGCAGCCCCGCCATTAAGAAGGGCATCCTGCAGACAGTGAAGG TGGTGGACGAGCTCGTGAAAGTGATGGGCCGGCACAAGCCCGAGAACATC GTGATCGAAATGGCCAGAGAGAACCAGACCACCCAGAAGGGACAGAAGAA CAGCCGCGAGAGAATGAAGCGGATCGAAGAGGGCATCAAAGAGCTGGGCA GCCAGATCCTGAAAGAACACCCCGTGGAAAACACCCAGCTGCAGAACGAG AAGCTGTACCTGTACTACCTGCAGAATGGGCGGGATATGTACGTGGACCA GGAACTGGACATCAACCGGCTGTCCGACTACGATGTGGACCATATCGTGC CTCAGAGCTTTCTGAAGGACGACTCCATCGACAACAAGGTGCTGACCAGA AGCGACAAGAACCGGGGCAAGAGCGACAACGTGCCCTCCGAAGAGGTCGT GAAGAAGATGAAGAACTACTGGCGGCAGCTGCTGAACGCCAAGCTGATTA CCCAGAGAAAGTTCGACAATCTGACCAAGGCCGAGAGAGGCGGCCTGAGC GAACTGGATAAGGCCGGCTTCATCAAGAGACAGCTGGTGGAAACCCGGCA GATCACAAAGCACGTGGCACAGATCCTGGACTCCCGGATGAACACTAAGT ACGACGAGAATGACAAGCTGATCCGGGAAGTGAAAGTGATCACCCTGAAG TCCAAGCTGGTGTCCGATTTCCGGAAGGATTTCCAGTTTTACAAAGTGCG CGAGATCAACAACTACCACCACGCCCACGACGCCTACCTGAACGCCGTCG TGGGAACCGCCCTGATCAAAAAGTACCCTAAGCTGGAAAGCGAGTTCGTG TACGGCGACTACAAGGTGTACGACGTGCGGAAGATGATCGCCAAGAGCGA GCAGGAAATCGGCAAGGCTACCGCCAAGTACTTCTTCTACAGCAACATCA TGAACTTTTTCAAGACCGAGATTACCCTGGCCAACGGCGAGATCCGGAAG CGGCCTCTGATCGAGACAAACGGCGAAACCGGGGAGATCGTGTGGGATAA GGGCCGGGATTTTGCCACCGTGCGGAAAGTGCTGAGCATGCCCCAAGTGA ATATCGTGAAAAAGACCGAGGTGCAGACAGGCGGCTTCAGCAAAGAGTCT ATCCTGCCCAAGAGGAACAGCGATAAGCTGATCGCCAGAAAGAAGGACTG GGACCCTAAGAAGTACGGCGGCTTCGACAGCCCCACCGTGGCCTATTCTG TGCTGGTGGTGGCCAAAGTGGAAAAGGGCAAGTCCAAGAAACTGAAGAGT GTGAAAGAGCTGCTGGGGATCACCATCATGGAAAGAAGCAGCTTCGAGAA GAATCCCATCGACTTTCTGGAAGCCAAGGGCTACAAAGAAGTGAAAAAGG ACCTGATCATCAAGCTGCCTAAGTACTCCCTGTTCGAGCTGGAAAACGGC CGGAAGAGAATGCTGGCCTCTGCCGGCGAACTGCAGAAGGGAAACGAACT GGCCCTGCCCTCCAAATATGTGAACTTCCTGTACCTGGCCAGCCACTATG AGAAGCTGAAGGGCTCCCCCGAGGATAATGAGCAGAAACAGCTGTTTGTG GAACAGCACAAGCACTACCTGGACGAGATCATCGAGCAGATCAGCGAGTT CTCCAAGAGAGTGATCCTGGCCGACGCTAATCTGGACAAAGTGCTGTCCG CCTACAACAAGCACCGGGATAAGCCCATCAGAGAGCAGGCCGAGAATATC ATCCACCTGTTTACCCTGACCAATCTGGGAGCCCCTGCCGCCTTCAAGTA CTTTGACACCACCATCGACCGGAAGAGGTACACCAGCACCAAAGAGGTGC TGGACGCCACCCTGATCCACCAGAGCATCACCGGCCTGTACGAGACACGG ATCGACCTGTCTCAGCTGGGAGGCGACAGCCCCAAGAAGAAGAGAAAGGT GGAGGCCAGCTAAGGATCCGGCAAGACTGGCCCCGCTTGGCAACGCAACA GTGAGCCCCTCCCTAGTGTGTTTGGGGATGTGACTATGTATTCGTGTGTT GGCCAACGGGTCAACCCGAACAGATTGATACCCGCCTTGGCATTTCCTGT CAGAATGTAACGTCAGTTGATGGTACT

Sequence for a cassette driving the expression of T7 polymerase under the control of beta-2 tubulin promoter, followed by the 3′ UTR of Cop1:

(SEQ ID NO: 129) TCTTTCTTGCGCTATGACACTTCCAGCAAAAGGTAGGGCGGGCTGCGAGA CGGCTTCCCGGCGCTGCATGCAACACCGATGATGCTTCGACCCCCCGAAG CTCCTTCGGGGCTGCATGGGCGCTCCGATGCCGCTCCAGGGCGAGCGCTG TTTAAATAGCCAGGCCCCCGATTGCAAAGACATTATAGCGAGCTACCAAA GCCATATTCAAACACCTAGATCACTACCACTTCTACACAGGCCACTCGAG CTTGTGATCGCACTCCGCTAAGGGGGCGCCTCTTCCTCTTCGTTTCAGTC ACAACCCGCAAACatgcctaagaagaagaggaaggttaacacgattaaca tcgctaagaacgacttctctgacatcgaactggctgctatcccgttcaac actctggctgaccattacggtgagcgtttagctcgcgaacagttggccct tgagcatgagtcttacgagatgggtgaagcacgcttccgcaagatgtttg agcgtcaacttaaagctggtgaggttgcggataacgctgccgccaagcct ctcatcactaccctactccctaagatgattgcacgcatcaacgactggtt tgaggaagtgaaagctaagcgcggcaagcgcccgacagccttccagttcc tgcaagaaatcaagccggaagccgtagcgtacatcaccattaagaccact ctggcttgcctaaccagtgctgacaatacaaccgttcaggctgtagcaag cgcaatcggtcgggccattgaggacgaggctcgcttcggtcgtatccgtg accttgaagctaagcacttcaagaaaaacgttgaggaacaactcaacaag cgcgtagggcacgtctacaagaaagcatttatgcaagttgtcgaggctga catgctctctaagggtctactcggtggcgaggcgtggtcttcgtggcata aggaagactctattcatgtaggagtacgctgcatcgagatgctcattgag tcaaccggaatggttagcttacaccgccaaaatgctggcgtagtaggtca agactctgagactatcgaactcgcacctgaatacgctgaggctatcgcaa cccgtgcaggtgcgctggctggcatctctccgatgttccaaccttgcgta gttcctcctaagccgtggactggcattactggtggtggctattgggctaa cggtcgtcgtcctctggcgctggtgcgtactcacagtaagaaagcactga tgcgctacgaagacgtttacatgcctgaggtgtacaaagcgattaacatt gcgcaaaacaccgcatggaaaatcaacaagaaagtcctagcggtcgccaa cgtaatcaccaagtggaagcattgtccggtcgaggacatccctgcgattg agcgtgaagaactcccgatgaaaccggaagacatcgacatgaatcctgag gctctcaccgcgtggaaacgtgctgccgctgctgtgtaccgcaaggacaa ggctcgcaagtctcgccgtatcagccttgagttcatgcttgagcaagcca ataagtttgctaaccataaggccatctggttcccttacaacatggactgg cgcggtcgtgtttacgctgtgtcaatgttcaacccgcaaggtaacgatat gaccaaaggactgcttacgctggcgaaaggtaaaccaatcggtaaggaag gttactactggctgaaaatccacggtgcaaactgtgcgggtgtcgacaag gttccgttccctgagcgcatcaagttcattgaggaaaaccacgagaacat catggcttgcgctaagtctccactggagaacacttggtgggctgagcaag attctccgttctgatccttgcgttctgattgagtacgctggggtacagca ccacggcctgagctataactgctcccttccgctggcgtttgacgggtctt gctctggcatccagcacttctccgcgatgctccgagatgaggtaggtggt cgcgcggttaacttgcttcctagtgaaaccgttcaggacatctacgggat tgttgctaagaaagtcaacgagattctacaagcagacgcaatcaatggga ccgataacgaagtagttaccgtgaccgatgagaacactggtgaaatctct gagaaagtcaagctgggcactaaggcactggctggtcaatggctggctta cggtgttactcgcagtgtgactaagcgttcagtcatgacgctggcttacg ggtccaaagagttcggcttccgtcaacaagtgctggaagataccattcag ccagctattgattccggcaagggtctgatgttcactcagccgaatcaggc tgctggatacatggctaagctgatttgggaatctgtgagcgtgacggtgg tagctgcggttgaagcaatgaactggcttaagtctgctgctaagctgctg gctgctgaggtcaaagataagaagactggagagattcttcgcaagcgttg cgctgtgcattgggtaactcctgatggtttccctgtgtggcaggaataca agaagcctattcagacgcgcttgaacctgatgttcctcggtcagttccgc ttacagcctaccattaacaccaacaaagatagcgagattgatgcacacaa acaggagtctggtatcgctcctaactttgtacacagccaagacggtagcc accttcgtaagactgtagtgtgggcacacgagaagtacggaatcgaatct tttgcactgattcacgactccttcggtacgattccggctgacgctgcgaa cctgttcaaagcagtgcgcgaaactatggttgacacatatgagtcttgtg atgtactggctgatttctacgaccagttcgctgaccagttgcacgagtct caattggacaaaatgccagcacttccggctaaaggtaacttgaacctccg tgacatcttagagtcggacttcgcgttcgcgtaaGGATCCGGCAAGACTG GCCCCGCTTGGCAACGCAACAGTGAGCCCCTCCCTAGTGTGTTTGGGGAT GTGACTATGTATTCGTGTGTTGGCCAACGGGTCAACCCGAACAGATTGAT ACCCGCCTTGGCATTTCCTGTCAGAATGTAACGTCAGTTGATGGTACT

Sequence of guide RNA driven by the T7 promoter (T7 promoter, Ns represent targeting sequence):

(SEQ ID NO: 130) gaaatTAATACGACTCACTATANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNgttttaga gctaGAAAtagcaagttaaaataaggctagtccgttatcaacttgaaaaa gtggcaccgagtcggtgattttttt

Gene Delivery:

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strain CC-124 and CC-125 from the Chlamydomonas Resource Center will be used for electroporation. Electroporation protocol follows standard recommended protocol from the GeneArt Chlamydomonas Engineering kit.

Also, Applicants generate a line of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that expresses Cas9 constitutively. This can be done by using pChlamy1 (linearized using PvuI) and selecting for hygromycin resistant colonies. Sequence for pChlamy1 containing Cas9 is below. In this way to achieve gene knockout one simply needs to deliver RNA for the guideRNA. For homologous recombination Applicants deliver guideRNA as well as a linearized homologous recombination template.

pChlamy1-Cas9:

(SEQ ID NO: 131) TGCGGTATTTCACACCGCATCAGGTGGCACTTTTCGGGGAAATGTGCGCGGAACCCCTATTTGTTTATTTTTCTAA ATACATTCAAATATGTATCCGCTCATGAGATTATCAAAAAGGATCTTCACCTAGATCCTTTTAAATTAAAAATGAA GTTTTAAATCAATCTAAAGTATATATGAGTAAACTTGGTCTGACAGTTACCAATGCTTAATCAGTGAGGCACCTAT CTCAGCGATCTGTCTATTTCGTTCATCCATAGTTGCCTGACTCCCCGTCGTGTAGATAACTACGATACGGGAGGGC TTACCATCTGGCCCCAGTGCTGCAATGATACCGCGAGACCCACGCTCACCGGCTCCAGATTTATCAGCAATAAACC AGCCAGCCGGAAGGGCCGAGCGCAGAAGTGGTCCTGCAACTTTATCCGCCTCCATCCAGTCTATTAATTGTTGCCG GGAAGCTAGAGTAAGTAGTTCGCCAGTTAATAGTTTGCGCAACGTTGTTGCCATTGCTACAGGCATCGTGGTGTCA CGCTCGTCGTTTGGTATGGCTTCATTCAGCTCCGGTTCCCAACGATCAAGGCGAGTTACATGATCCCCCATGTTGT GCAAAAAAGCGGTTAGCTCCTTCGGTCCTCCGATCGTTGTCAGAAGTAAGTTGGCCGCAGTGTTATCACTCATGGT TATGGCAGCACTGCATAATTCTCTTACTGTCATGCCATCCGTAAGATGCTTTTCTGTGACTGGTGAGTACTCAACC AAGTCATTCTGAGAATAGTGTATGCGGCGACCGAGTTGCTCTTGCCCGGCGTCAATACGGGATAATACCGCGCCAC ATAGCAGAACTTTAAAAGTGCTCATCATTGGAAAACGTTCTTCGGGGCGAAAACTCTCAAGGATCTTACCGCTGTT GAGATCCAGTTCGATGTAACCCACTCGTGCACCCAACTGATCTTCAGCATCTTTTACTTTCACCAGCGTTTCTGGG TGAGCAAAAACAGGAAGGCAAAATGCCGCAAAAAAGGGAATAAGGGCGACACGGAAATGTTGAATACTCATACTCT TCCTTTTTCAATATTATTGAAGCATTTATCAGGGTTATTGTCTCATGACCAAAATCCCTTAACGTGAGTTTTCGTT CCACTGAGCGTCAGACCCCGTAGAAAAGATCAAAGGATCTTCTTGAGATCCTTTTTTTCTGCGCGTAATCTGCTGC TTGCAAACAAAAAAACCACCGCTACCAGCGGTGGTTTGTTTGCCGGATCAAGAGCTACCAACTCTTTTTCCGAAGG TAACTGGCTTCAGCAGAGCGCAGATACCAAATACTGTTCTTCTAGTGTAGCCGTAGTTAGGCCACCACTTCAAGAA CTCTGTAGCACCGCCTACATACCTCGCTCTGCTAATCCTGTTACCAGTGGCTGTTGCCAGTGGCGATAAGTCGTGT CTTACCGGGTTGGACTCAAGACGATAGTTACCGGATAAGGCGCAGCGGTCGGGCTGAACGGGGGGTTCGTGCACAC AGCCCAGCTTGGAGCGAACGACCTACACCGAACTGAGATACCTACAGCGTGAGCTATGAGAAAGCGCCACGCTTCC CGAAGGGAGAAAGGCGGACAGGTATCCGGTAAGCGGCAGGGTCGGAACAGGAGAGCGCACGAGGGAGCTTCCAGGG GGAAACGCCTGGTATCTTTATAGTCCTGTCGGGTTTCGCCACCTCTGACTTGAGCGTCGATTTTTGTGATGCTCGT CAGGGGGGCGGAGCCTATGGAAAAACGCCAGCAACGCGGCCTTTTTACGGTTCCTGGCCTTTTGCTGGCCTTTTGC TCACATGTTCTTTCCTGCGTTATCCCCTGATTCTGTGGATAACCGTATTACCGCCTTTGAGTGAGCTGATACCGCT CGCCGCAGCCGAACGACCGAGCGCAGCGAGTCAGTGAGCGAGGAAGCGGTCGCTGAGGCTTGACATGATTGGTGCG TATGTTTGTATGAAGCTACAGGACTGATTTGGCGGGCTATGAGGGCGGGGGAAGCTCTGGAAGGGCCGCGATGGGG CGCGCGGCGTCCAGAAGGCGCCATACGGCCCGCTGGCGGCACCCATCCGGTATAAAAGCCCGCGACCCCGAACGGT GACCTCCACTTTCAGCGACAAACGAGCACTTATACATACGCGACTATTCTGCCGCTATACATAACCACTCAGCTAG CTTAAGATCCCATCAAGCTTGCATGCCGGGCGCGCCAGAAGGAGCGCAGCCAAACCAGGATGATGTTTGATGGGGT ATTTGAGCACTTGCAACCCTTATCCGGAAGCCCCCTGGCCCACAAAGGCTAGGCGCCAATGCAAGCAGTTCGCATG CAGCCCCTGGAGCGGTGCCCTCCTGATAAACCGGCCAGGGGGCCTATGTTCTTTACTTTTTTACAAGAGAAGTCAC TCAACATCTTAAAATGGCCAGGTGAGTCGACGAGCAAGCCCGGCGGATCAGGCAGCGTGCTTGCAGATTTGACTTG CAACGCCCGCATTGTGTCGACGAAGGCTTTTGGCTCCTCTGTCGCTGTCTCAAGCAGCATCTAACCCTGCGTCGCC GTTTCCATTTGCAGGAGATTCGAGGTACCATGTACCCATACGATGTTCCAGATTACGCTTCGCCGAAGAAAAAGCG CAAGGTCGAAGCGTCCGACAAGAAGTACAGCATCGGCCTGGACATCGGCACCAACTCTGTGGGCTGGGCCGTGATC ACCGACGAGTACAAGGTGCCCAGCAAGAAATTCAAGGTGCTGGGCAACACCGACCGGCACAGCATCAAGAAGAACC TGATCGGAGCCCTGCTGTTCGACAGCGGCGAAACAGCCGAGGCCACCCGGCTGAAGAGAACCGCCAGAAGAAGATA CACCAGACGGAAGAACCGGATCTGCTATCTGCAAGAGATCTTCAGCAACGAGATGGCCAAGGTGGACGACAGCTTC TTCCACAGACTGGAAGAGTCCTTCCTGGTGGAAGAGGATAAGAAGCACGAGCGGCACCCCATCTTCGGCAACATCG TGGACGAGGTGGCCTACCACGAGAAGTACCCCACCATCTACCACCTGAGAAAGAAACTGGTGGACAGCACCGACAA GGCCGACCTGCGGCTGATCTATCTGGCCCTGGCCCACATGATCAAGTTCCGGGGCCACTTCCTGATCGAGGGCGAC CTGAACCCCGACAACAGCGACGTGGACAAGCTGTTCATCCAGCTGGTGCAGACCTACAACCAGCTGTTCGAGGAAA ACCCCATCAACGCCAGCGGCGTGGACGCCAAGGCCATCCTGTCTGCCAGACTGAGCAAGAGCAGACGGCTGGAAAA TCTGATCGCCCAGCTGCCCGGCGAGAAGAAGAATGGCCTGTTCGGCAACCTGATTGCCCTGAGCCTGGGCCTGACC CCCAACTTCAAGAGCAACTTCGACCTGGCCGAGGATGCCAAACTGCAGCTGAGCAAGGACACCTACGACGACGACC TGGACAACCTGCTGGCCCAGATCGGCGACCAGTACGCCGACCTGTTTCTGGCCGCCAAGAACCTGTCCGACGCCAT CCTGCTGAGCGACATCCTGAGAGTGAACACCGAGATCACCAAGGCCCCCCTGAGCGCCTCTATGATCAAGAGATAC GACGAGCACCACCAGGACCTGACCCTGCTGAAAGCTCTCGTGCGGCAGCAGCTGCCTGAGAAGTACAAAGAGATTT TCTTCGACCAGAGCAAGAACGGCTACGCCGGCTACATTGACGGCGGAGCCAGCCAGGAAGAGTTCTACAAGTTCAT CAAGCCCATCCTGGAAAAGATGGACGGCACCGAGGAACTGCTCGTGAAGCTGAACAGAGAGGACCTGCTGCGGAAG CAGCGGACCTTCGACAACGGCAGCATCCCCCACCAGATCCACCTGGGAGAGCTGCACGCCATTCTGCGGCGGCAGG AAGATTTTTACCCATTCCTGAAGGACAACCGGGAAAAGATCGAGAAGATCCTGACCTTCCGCATCCCCTACTACGT GGGCCCTCTGGCCAGGGGAAACAGCAGATTCGCCTGGATGACCAGAAAGAGCGAGGAAACCATCACCCCCTGGAAC TTCGAGGAAGTGGTGGACAAGGGCGCTTCCGCCCAGAGCTTCATCGAGCGGATGACCAACTTCGATAAGAACCTGC CCAACGAGAAGGTGCTGCCCAAGCACAGCCTGCTGTACGAGTACTTCACCGTGTATAACGAGCTGACCAAAGTGAA ATACGTGACCGAGGGAATGAGAAAGCCCGCCTTCCTGAGCGGCGAGCAGAAAAAGGCCATCGTGGACCTGCTGTTC AAGACCAACCGGAAAGTGACCGTGAAGCAGCTGAAAGAGGACTACTTCAAGAAAATCGAGTGCTTCGACTCCGTGG AAATCTCCGGCGTGGAAGATCGGTTCAACGCCTCCCTGGGCACATACCACGATCTGCTGAAAATTATCAAGGACAA GGACTTCCTGGACAATGAGGAAAACGAGGACATTCTGGAAGATATCGTGCTGACCCTGACACTGTTTGAGGACAGA GAGATGATCGAGGAACGGCTGAAAACCTATGCCCACCTGTTCGACGACAAAGTGATGAAGCAGCTGAAGCGGCGGA GATACACCGGCTGGGGCAGGCTGAGCCGGAAGCTGATCAACGGCATCCGGGACAAGCAGTCCGGCAAGACAATCCT GGATTTCCTGAAGTCCGACGGCTTCGCCAACAGAAACTTCATGCAGCTGATCCACGACGACAGCCTGACCTTTAAA GAGGACATCCAGAAAGCCCAGGTGTCCGGCCAGGGCGATAGCCTGCACGAGCACATTGCCAATCTGGCCGGCAGCC CCGCCATTAAGAAGGGCATCCTGCAGACAGTGAAGGTGGTGGACGAGCTCGTGAAAGTGATGGGCCGGCACAAGCC CGAGAACATCGTGATCGAAATGGCCAGAGAGAACCAGACCACCCAGAAGGGACAGAAGAACAGCCGCGAGAGAATG AAGCGGATCGAAGAGGGCATCAAAGAGCTGGGCAGCCAGATCCTGAAAGAACACCCCGTGGAAAACACCCAGCTGC AGAACGAGAAGCTGTACCTGTACTACCTGCAGAATGGGCGGGATATGTACGTGGACCAGGAACTGGACATCAACCG GCTGTCCGACTACGATGTGGACCATATCGTGCCTCAGAGCTTTCTGAAGGACGACTCCATCGACAACAAGGTGCTG ACCAGAAGCGACAAGAACCGGGGCAAGAGCGACAACGTGCCCTCCGAAGAGGTCGTGAAGAAGATGAAGAACTACT GGCGGCAGCTGCTGAACGCCAAGCTGATTACCCAGAGAAAGTTCGACAATCTGACCAAGGCCGAGAGAGGCGGCCT GAGCGAACTGGATAAGGCCGGCTTCATCAAGAGACAGCTGGTGGAAACCCGGCAGATCACAAAGCACGTGGCACAG ATCCTGGACTCCCGGATGAACACTAAGTACGACGAGAATGACAAGCTGATCCGGGAAGTGAAAGTGATCACCCTGA AGTCCAAGCTGGTGTCCGATTTCCGGAAGGATTTCCAGTTTTACAAAGTGCGCGAGATCAACAACTACCACCACGC CCACGACGCCTACCTGAACGCCGTCGTGGGAACCGCCCTGATCAAAAAGTACCCTAAGCTGGAAAGCGAGTTCGTG TACGGCGACTACAAGGTGTACGACGTGCGGAAGATGATCGCCAAGAGCGAGCAGGAAATCGGCAAGGCTACCGCCA AGTACTTCTTCTACAGCAACATCATGAACTTTTTCAAGACCGAGATTACCCTGGCCAACGGCGAGATCCGGAAGCG GCCTCTGATCGAGACAAACGGCGAAACCGGGGAGATCGTGTGGGATAAGGGCCGGGATTTTGCCACCGTGCGGAAA GTGCTGAGCATGCCCCAAGTGAATATCGTGAAAAAGACCGAGGTGCAGACAGGCGGCTTCAGCAAAGAGTCTATCC TGCCCAAGAGGAACAGCGATAAGCTGATCGCCAGAAAGAAGGACTGGGACCCTAAGAAGTACGGCGGCTTCGACAG CCCCACCGTGGCCTATTCTGTGCTGGTGGTGGCCAAAGTGGAAAAGGGCAAGTCCAAGAAACTGAAGAGTGTGAAA GAGCTGCTGGGGATCACCATCATGGAAAGAAGCAGCTTCGAGAAGAATCCCATCGACTTTCTGGAAGCCAAGGGCT ACAAAGAAGTGAAAAAGGACCTGATCATCAAGCTGCCTAAGTACTCCCTGTTCGAGCTGGAAAACGGCCGGAAGAG AATGCTGGCCTCTGCCGGCGAACTGCAGAAGGGAAACGAACTGGCCCTGCCCTCCAAATATGTGAACTTCCTGTAC CTGGCCAGCCACTATGAGAAGCTGAAGGGCTCCCCCGAGGATAATGAGCAGAAACAGCTGTTTGTGGAACAGCACA AGCACTACCTGGACGAGATCATCGAGCAGATCAGCGAGTTCTCCAAGAGAGTGATCCTGGCCGACGCTAATCTGGA CAAAGTGCTGTCCGCCTACAACAAGCACCGGGATAAGCCCATCAGAGAGCAGGCCGAGAATATCATCCACCTGTTT ACCCTGACCAATCTGGGAGCCCCTGCCGCCTTCAAGTACTTTGACACCACCATCGACCGGAAGAGGTACACCAGCA CCAAAGAGGTGCTGGACGCCACCCTGATCCACCAGAGCATCACCGGCCTGTACGAGACACGGATCGACCTGTCTCA GCTGGGAGGCGACAGCCCCAAGAAGAAGAGAAAGGTGGAGGCCAGCTAACATATGATTCGAATGTCTTTCTTGCGC TATGACACTTCCAGCAAAAGGTAGGGCGGGCTGCGAGACGGCTTCCCGGCGCTGCATGCAACACCGATGATGCTTC GACCCCCCGAAGCTCCTTCGGGGCTGCATGGGCGCTCCGATGCCGCTCCAGGGCGAGCGCTGTTTAAATAGCCAGG CCCCCGATTGCAAAGACATTATAGCGAGCTACCAAAGCCATATTCAAACACCTAGATCACTACCACTTCTACACAG GCCACTCGAGCTTGTGATCGCACTCCGCTAAGGGGGCGCCTCTTCCTCTTCGTTTCAGTCACAACCCGCAAACATG ACACAAGAATCCCTGTTACTTCTCGACCGTATTGATTCGGATGATTCCTACGCGAGCCTGCGGAACGACCAGGAAT TCTGGGAGGTGAGTCGACGAGCAAGCCCGGCGGATCAGGCAGCGTGCTTGCAGATTTGACTTGCAACGCCCGCATT GTGTCGACGAAGGCTTTTGGCTCCTCTGTCGCTGTCTCAAGCAGCATCTAACCCTGCGTCGCCGTTTCCATTTGCA GCCGCTGGCCCGCCGAGCCCTGGAGGAGCTCGGGCTGCCGGTGCCGCCGGTGCTGCGGGTGCCCGGCGAGAGCACC AACCCCGTACTGGTCGGCGAGCCCGGCCCGGTGATCAAGCTGTTCGGCGAGCACTGGTGCGGTCCGGAGAGCCTCG CGTCGGAGTCGGAGGCGTACGCGGTCCTGGCGGACGCCCCGGTGCCGGTGCCCCGCCTCCTCGGCCGCGGCGAGCT GCGGCCCGGCACCGGAGCCTGGCCGTGGCCCTACCTGGTGATGAGCCGGATGACCGGCACCACCTGGCGGTCCGCG ATGGACGGCACGACCGACCGGAACGCGCTGCTCGCCCTGGCCCGCGAACTCGGCCGGGTGCTCGGCCGGCTGCACA GGGTGCCGCTGACCGGGAACACCGTGCTCACCCCCCATTCCGAGGTCTTCCCGGAACTGCTGCGGGAACGCCGCGC GGCGACCGTCGAGGACCACCGCGGGTGGGGCTACCTCTCGCCCCGGCTGCTGGACCGCCTGGAGGACTGGCTGCCG GACGTGGACACGCTGCTGGCCGGCCGCGAACCCCGGTTCGTCCACGGCGACCTGCACGGGACCAACATCTTCGTGG ACCTGGCCGCGACCGAGGTCACCGGGATCGTCGACTTCACCGACGTCTATGCGGGAGACTCCCGCTACAGCCTGGT GCAACTGCATCTCAACGCCTTCCGGGGCGACCGCGAGATCCTGGCCGCGCTGCTCGACGGGGCGCAGTGGAAGCGG ACCGAGGACTTCGCCCGCGAACTGCTCGCCTTCACCTTCCTGCACGACTTCGAGGTGTTCGAGGAGACCCCGCTGG ATCTCTCCGGCTTCACCGATCCGGAGGAACTGGCGCAGTTCCTCTGGGGGCCGCCGGACACCGCCCCCGGCGCCTG ATAAGGATCCGGCAAGACTGGCCCCGCTTGGCAACGCAACAGTGAGCCCCTCCCTAGTGTGTTTGGGGATGTGACT ATGTATTCGTGTGTTGGCCAACGGGTCAACCCGAACAGATTGATACCCGCCTTGGCATTTCCTGTCAGAATGTAAC GTCAGTTGATGGTACT

For all modified Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells, Applicants use PCR, SURVEYOR nuclease assay, and DNA sequencing to verify successful modification.

Example 25: Use of Cas9 to Target a Variety of Disease Types

Diseases that involve mutations in protein coding sequence:

Dominant disorders may be targeted by inactivating the dominant negative allele. Applicants use Cas9 to target a unique sequence in the dominant negative allele and introduce a mutation via NHEJ. The NHEJ-induced indel may be able to introduce a frame-shift mutation in the dominant negative allele and eliminate the dominant negative protein. This may work if the gene is haplo-sufficient (e.g. MYOC mutation induced glaucoma and Huntington's disease).

Recessive disorders may be targeted by repairing the disease mutation in both alleles. For dividing cells, Applicants use Cas9 to introduce double strand breaks near the mutation site and increase the rate of homologous recombination using an exogenous recombination template. For dividing cells, this may be achieved using multiplexed nickase activity to catalyze the replacement of the mutant sequence in both alleles via NHEJ-mediated ligation of an exogenous DNA fragment carrying complementary overhangs.

Applicants also use Cas9 to introduce protective mutations (e.g. inactivation of CCR5 to prevent HIV infection, inactivation of PCSK9 for cholesterol reduction, or introduction of the A673T into APP to reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease).

Diseases that Involve Non-Coding Sequences

Applicants use Cas9 to disrupt non-coding sequences in the promoter region, to alter transcription factor binding sites and alter enhancer or repressor elements. For example, Cas9 may be used to excise out the Klf1 enhancer EHS1 in hematopoietic stem cells to reduce BCL11a levels and reactivate fetal globin gene expression in differentiated erythrocytes

Applicants also use Cas9 to disrupt functional motifs in the 5′ or 3′ untranslated regions. For example, for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy, Cas9 may be used to remove CTG repeat expansions in the DMPK gene.

Example 26: Multiplexed Nickase

Aspects of optimization and the teachings of Cas9 detailed in this application may also be used to generate Cas9 nickases. Applicants use Cas9 nickases in combination with pairs of guide RNAs to generate DNA double strand breaks with defined overhangs. When two pairs of guide RNAs are used, it is possible to excise an intervening DNA fragment. If an exogenous piece of DNA is cleaved by the two pairs of guide RNAs to generate compatible overhangs with the genomic DNA, then the exogenous DNA fragment may be ligated into the genomic DNA to replace the excised fragment. For example, this may be used to remove trinucleotide repeat expansion in the huntintin (HTT) gene to treat Huntington's Disease.

If an exogenous DNA that bears fewer number of CAG repeats is provided, then it may be able to generate a fragment of DNA that bears the same overhangs and can be ligated into the HTT genomic locus and replace the excised fragment.

HTT locus . . .  CCGTGCCGGGCGGGAGACCGCCATGG                     GGCCCGGCTGTGGCTGAGGAGC . . .  with fragment . . . GGCACGGCCCGCCCTCTGGG                        TGGGCCGGGCCGACACCGACTCCTCG . . . excised by Cas9 nickase and two pairs of guide RNAs + exogenous DNA           CGACCCTGGAAA . . . reduced number of CAG repeats . . . CCCCGCCGCCACCC fragment with     GGTACCGCTGGGACCTTT . . .                               . . . GGGGCGGCGG fewer number of CAG repeats also cleaved by Cas9 nicakse and the two pairs of guide RNAs

These are SEQ ID NOS: 132 to 139, respectively. The ligation of the exogenous DNA fragment into the genome does not require homologous recombination machineries and therefore this method may be used in post-mitotic cells such as neurons.

Example 27. Delivery of CRISPR System

Cas9 and its chimeric guide RNA, or combination of tracrRNA and crRNA, can be delivered either as DNA or RNA. Delivery of Cas9 and guide RNA both as RNA (normal or containing base or backbone modifications) molecules can be used to reduce the amount of time that Cas9 protein persist in the cell. This may reduce the level of off-target cleavage activity in the target cell. Since delivery of Cas9 as mRNA takes time to be translated into protein, it might be advantageous to deliver the guide RNA several hours following the delivery of Cas9 mRNA, to maximize the level of guide RNA available for interaction with Cas9 protein.

In situations where guide RNA amount is limiting, it may be desirable to introduce Cas9 as mRNA and guide RNA in the form of a DNA expression cassette with a promoter driving the expression of the guide RNA. This way the amount of guide RNA available will be amplified via transcription.

A variety of delivery systems can be introduced to introduce Cas9 (DNA or RNA) and guide RNA (DNA or RNA) into the host cell. These include the use of liposomes, viral vectors, electroporation, nanoparticles, nanowires (Shalek et al., Nano Letters, 2012), exosomes. Molecular trojan horses liposomes (Pardridge et al., Cold Spring Harb Protoc; 2010; doi:10.1101/pdb.prot5407) may be used to deliver Cas9 and guide RNA across the blood brain barrier.

Example 28: Therapeutic Strategies for Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders

As previously mentioned in the application, the target polynucleotide of a CRISPR complex may include a number of disease-associated genes and polynucleotides and some of these disease associated gene may belong to a set of genetic disorders referred to as Trinucleotide repeat disorders (referred to as also trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, triplet repeat expansion disorders or codon reiteration disorders).

These diseases are caused by mutations in which the trinucleotide repeats of certain genes exceed the normal, stable threshold which may usually differ in a gene. The discovery of more repeat expansion disorders has allowed for the classification of these disorders into a number of categories based on underlying similar characteristics. Huntington's disease (HD) and the spinocerebellar ataxias that are caused by a CAG repeat expansion in protein-coding portions of specific genes are included in Category I. Diseases or disorders with expansions that tend to make them phenotypically diverse and include expansions are usually small in magnitude and also found in exons of genes are included in Category II. Category III includes disorders or diseases which are characterized by much larger repeat expansions than either Category I or II and are generally located outside protein coding regions. Examples of Category III diseases or disorders include but are not limited to Fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, two of the spinocerebellar ataxias, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, and Friedreich's ataxia.

Similar therapeutic strategies, like the one mentioned for Friedreich's ataxia below may be adopted to address other trinucleotide repeat or expansion disorders as well. For example, another triple repeat disease that can be treated using almost identical strategy is dystrophia myotonica 1 (DM1), where there is an expanded CTG motif in the 3′ UTR. In Friedreich's ataxia, the disease results from expansion of GAA trinucleotides in the first intron of frataxin (FXN). One therapeutic strategy using CRISPR is to excise the GAA repeat from the first intron. The expanded GAA repeat is thought to affect the DNA structure and leads to recruit the formation of heterochromatin which turn off the frataxin gene (FIG. 32A).

Competitive Advantage over other therapeutic strategies are listed below:

siRNA knockdown is not applicable in this case, as disease is due to reduced expression of frataxin. Viral gene therapy is currently being explored. HSV-1 based vectors were used to deliver the frataxin gene in animal models and have shown therapeutic effect. However, long term efficacy of virus-based frataxin delivery suffer from several problems: First, it is difficult to regulate the expression of frataxin to match natural levels in health individuals, and second, long term over expression of frataxin leads to cell death.

Nucleases may be used to excise the GAA repeat to restore healthy genotype, but Zinc Finger Nuclease and TALEN strategies require delivery of two pairs of high efficacy nucleases, which is difficult for both delivery as well as nuclease engineering (efficient excision of genomic DNA by ZFN or TALEN is difficult to achieve).

In contrast to above strategies, the CRISPR-Cas system has clear advantages. The Cas9 enzyme is more efficient and more multiplexible, by which it is meant that one or more targets can be set at the same time. So far, efficient excision of genomic DNA >30% by Cas9 in human cells and may be as high as 30%, and may be improved in the future. Furthermore, with regard to certain trinucleotide repeat disorders like Huntington's disease (HD), trinucleotide repeats in the coding region may be addressed if there are differences between the two alleles. Specifically, if a HD patient is heterozygous for mutant HTT and there are nucleotide differences such as SNPs between the wt and mutant HTT alleles, then Cas9 may be used to specifically target the mutant HTT allele. ZFN or TALENs will not have the ability to distinguish two alleles based on single base differences.

In adopting a strategy using the CRISPR-Cas 9 enzyme to address Friedreich's ataxia, Applicants design a number of guide RNAs targeting sites flanking the GAA expansion and the most efficient and specific ones are chosen (FIG. 32B).

Applicants deliver a combination of guide RNAs targeting the intron 1 of FXN along with Cas9 to mediate excision of the GAA expansion region. AAV9 may be used to mediate efficient delivery of Cas9 and in the spinal cord.

If the Alu element adjacent to the GAA expansion is considered important, there may be constraints to the number of sites that can be targeted but Applicants may adopt strategies to avoid disrupting it.

Alternative Strategies:

Rather than modifying the genome using Cas9, Applicants may also directly activate the FXN gene using Cas9 (nuclease activity deficient)-based DNA binding domain to target a transcription activation domain to the FXN gene. Applicants may have to address the robustness of the Cas9-mediated artificial transcription activation to ensure that it is robust enough as compared to other methods (Tremblay et al., Transcription Activator-Like Effector Proteins Induce the Expression of the Frataxin Gene; Human Gene Therapy. August 2012, 23(8): 883-890.)

Example 29: Strategies for Minimizing Off-Target Cleavage Using Cas9 Nickase

As previously mentioned in the application, Cas9 may be mutated to mediate single strand cleavage via one or more of the following mutations: D10A, E762A, and H840A.

To mediate gene knockout via NHEJ, Applicants use a nickase version of Cas9 along with two guide RNAs. Off-target nicking by each individual guide RNA may be primarily repaired without mutation, double strand breaks (which can lead to mutations via NHEJ) only occur when the target sites are adjacent to each other. Since double strand breaks introduced by double nicking are not blunt, co-expression of end-processing enzymes such as TREX1 will increase the level of NHEJ activity.

The following list of targets in tabular form are for genes involved in the following diseases:

Lafora's Disease—target GSY1 or PPPIR3C (PTG) to reduce glycogen in neurons.

Hypercholesterolemia—Target PCSK9

Target sequences are listed in pairs (L and R) with different number of nucleotides in the spacer (0 to 3 bp). Each spacer may also be used by itself with the wild type Cas9 to introduce double strand break at the target locus.

GYS1 (human) GGCC-L ACCCTTGTTAGCCACCTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 140) GGCC-R GAACGCAGTGCTCTTCGAAG (SEQ ID NO: 141) GGNCC-L CTCACGCCCTGCTCCGTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 142) GGNCC-R GGCGACAACTACTTCCTGGT (SEQ ID NO: 143) GGNNCC-L CTCACGCCCTGCTCCGTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 144) GGNNCC-R GGGCGACAACTACTTCCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 145) GGNNNCC-L CCTCTTCAGGGCCGGGGTGG (SEQ ID NO: 146) GGNNNCC-R GAGGACCCAGGTGGAACTGC (SEQ ID NO: 147) PCSK9 (human) GGCC-L TCAGCTCCAGGCGGTCCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 148) GGCC-R AGCAGCAGCAGCAGTGGCAG (SEQ ID NO: 149) GGNCC-L TGGGCACCGTCAGCTCCAGG (SEQ ID NO: 150) GGNCC-R CAGCAGTGGCAGCGGCCACC (SEQ ID NO: 151) GGNNCC-L ACCTCTCCCCTGGCCCTCAT (SEQ ID NO: 152) GGNNCC-R CCAGGACCGCCTGGAGCTGA (SEQ ID NO: 153) GGNNNCC-L CCGTCAGCTCCAGGCGGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 154) GGNNNCC-R AGCAGCAGCAGCAGTGGCAG (SEQ ID NO: 155) PPP1R3C (PTG) (human) GGCC-L ATGTGCCAAGCAAAGCCTCA (SEQ ID NO: 156) GGCC-R TTCGGTCATGCCCGTGGATG (SEQ ID NO: 157) GGNCC-L GTCGTTGAAATTCATCGTAC (SEQ ID NO: 158) GGNCC-R ACCACCTGTGAAGAGTTTCC (SEQ ID NO: 159) GGNNCC-L CGTCGTTGAAATTCATCGTA (SEQ ID NO: 160) GGNNCC-R ACCACCTGTGAAGAGTTTCC (SEQ ID NO: 161) Gys1 (mouse) GGCC-L GAACGCAGTGCTTTTCGAGG (SEQ ID NO: 162) GGCC-R ACCCTTGTTGGCCACCTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 163) GGNCC-L GGTGACAACTACTATCTGGT (SEQ ID NO: 164) GGNCC-R CTCACACCCTGCTCCGTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 165) GGNNCC-L GGGTGACAACTACTATCTGG (SEQ ID NO: 166) GGNNCC-R CTCACACCCTGCTCCGTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 167) GGNNNCC-L CGAGAACGCAGTGCTTTTCG (SEQ ID NO: 168) GGNNNCC-R ACCCTTGTTGGCCACCTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 169) PPP1R3C (PTG) (mouse) GGCC-L ATGAGCCAAGCAAATCCTCA (SEQ ID NO: 170) GGCC-R TTCCGTCATGCCCGTGGACA (SEQ ID NO: 171) GGNCC-L CTTCGTTGAAAACCATTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 172) GGNCC-R CCACCTCTGAAGAGTTTCCT (SEQ ID NO: 173) GGNNCC-L CTTCGTTGAAAACCATTGTA (SEQ ID NO: 174) GGNNCC-R ACCACCTCTGAAGAGTTTCC (SEQ ID NO: 175) GGNNNCC-L CTTCCACTCACTCTGCGATT (SEQ ID NO: 176) GGNNNCC-R ACCATGTCTCAGTGTCAAGC (SEQ ID NO: 177) PCSK9 (mouse) GGCC-L GGCGGCAACAGCGGCAACAG (SEQ ID NO: 178) GGCC-R ACTGCTCTGCGTGGCTGCGG (SEQ ID NO: 179) GGNNCC-L CCGCAGCCACGCAGAGCAGT (SEQ ID NO: 180) GGNNCC-R GCACCTCTCCTCGCCCCGAT (SEQ ID NO: 181)

Alternative strategies for improving stability of guide RNA and increasing specificity

1. Nucleotides in the 5′ of the guide RNA may be linked via thiolester linkages rather than phosphoester linkage like in natural RNA. Thiolester linkage may prevent the guide RNA from being digested by endogenous RNA degradation machinery.

2. Nucleotides in the guide sequence (5′ 20 bp) of the guide RNA can use bridged nucleic acids (BNA) as the bases to improve the binding specificity.

Example 30: CRISPR-Cas for Rapid, Multiplex Genome Editing

Aspects of the invention relate to protocols and methods by which efficiency and specificity of gene modification may be tested within 3-4 days after target design, and modified clonal cell lines may be derived within 2-3 weeks.

Programmable nucleases are powerful technologies for mediating genome alteration with high precision. The RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease from the microbial CRISPR adaptive immune system can be used to facilitate efficient genome editing in eukaryotic cells by simply specifying a 20-nt targeting sequence in its guide RNA. Applicants describe a set of protocols for applying Cas9 to facilitate efficient genome editing in mammalian cells and generate cell lines for downstream functional studies. Beginning with target design, efficient and specific gene modification can be achieved within 3-4 days, and modified clonal cell lines can be derived within 2-3 weeks.

The ability to engineer biological systems and organisms holds enormous potential for applications across basic science, medicine, and biotechnology. Programmable sequence-specific endonucleases that facilitate precise editing of endogenous genomic loci are now enabling systematic interrogation of genetic elements and causal genetic variations in a broad range of species, including those that have not been genetically tractable previously. A number of genome editing technologies have emerged in recent years, including zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the RNA-guided CRISPR-Cas nuclease system. The first two technologies use a common strategy of tethering endonuclease catalytic domains to modular DNA-binding proteins for inducing targeted DNA double stranded breaks (DSB) at specific genomic loci. By contrast, Cas9 is a nuclease guided by small RNAs through Watson-Crick base-pairing with target DNA, presenting a system that is easy to design, efficient, and well-suited for high-throughput and multiplexed gene editing for a variety of cell types and organisms. Here Applicants describe a set of protocols for applying the recently developed Cas9 nuclease to facilitate efficient genome editing in mammalian cells and generate cell lines for downstream functional studies.

Like ZFNs and TALENs, Cas9 promotes genome editing by stimulating DSB at the target genomic loci. Upon cleavage by Cas9, the target locus undergoes one of two major pathways for DNA damage repair, the error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) or the high-fidelity homology directed repair (HDR) pathway. Both pathways may be utilized to achieve the desired editing outcome.

NHEJ: In the absence of a repair template, the NHEJ process re-ligates DSBs, which may leave a scar in the form of indel mutations. This process can be harnessed to achieve gene knockouts, as indels occurring within a coding exon may lead to frameshift mutations and a premature stop codon. Multiple DSBs may also be exploited to mediate larger deletions in the genome.

HDR: Homology directed repair is an alternate major DNA repair pathway to NHEJ. Although HDR typically occurs at lower frequencies than NHEJ, it may be harnessed to generate precise, defined modifications at a target locus in the presence of an exogenously introduced repair template. The repair template may be either in the form of double stranded DNA, designed similarly to conventional DNA targeting constructs with homology arms flanking the insertion sequence, or single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs). The latter provides an effective and simple method for making small edits in the genome, such as the introduction of single nucleotide mutations for probing causal genetic variations. Unlike NHEJ, HDR is generally active only in dividing cells and its efficiency varies depending on the cell type and state.

Overview of CRISPR: The CRISPR-Cas system, by contrast, is at minimum a two-component system consisting of the Cas9 nuclease and a short guide RNA. Re-targeting of Cas9 to different loci or simultaneous editing of multiple genes simply requires cloning a different 20-bp oligonucleotide. Although specificity of the Cas9 nuclease has yet to be thoroughly elucidated, the simple Watson-Crick base-pairing of the CRISPR-Cas system is likely more predictable than that of ZFN or TALEN domains.

The type II CRISPR-Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) is a bacterial adaptive immune system that uses Cas9, to cleave foreign genetic elements. Cas9 is guided by a pair of non-coding RNAs, a variable crRNA and a required auxiliary tracrRNA. The crRNA contains a 20-nt guide sequence determines specificity by locating the target DNA via Watson-Crick base-pairing. In the native bacterial system, multiple crRNAs are co-transcribed to direct Cas9 against various targets. In the CRISPR-Cas system derived from Streptococcus pyogenes, the target DNA must immediately precede a 5′-NGG/NRG protospacer adjacent motif (PAM), which can vary for other CRISPR systems.

CRISPR-Cas is reconstituted in mammalian cells through the heterologous expression of human codon-optimized Cas9 and the requisite RNA components. Furthermore, the crRNA and tracrRNA can be fused to create a chimeric, synthetic guide RNA (sgRNA). Cas9 can thus be re-directed toward any target of interest by altering the 20-nt guide sequence within the sgRNA.

Given its ease of implementation and multiplex capability, Cas9 has been used to generate engineered eukaryotic cells carrying specific mutations via both NHEJ and HDR. In addition, direct injection of sgRNA and mRNA encoding Cas9 into embryos has enabled the rapid generation of transgenic mice with multiple modified alleles; these results hold promise for editing organisms that are otherwise genetically intractable.

A mutant Cas9 carrying a disruption in one of its catalytic domains has been engineered to nick rather than cleave DNA, allowing for single-stranded breaks and preferential repair through HDR, potentially ameliorating unwanted indel mutations from off-target DSBs. Additionally, a Cas9 mutant with both DNA-cleaving catalytic residues mutated has been adapted to enable transcriptional regulation in E. coli, demonstrating the potential of functionalizing Cas9 for diverse applications. Certain aspects of the invention relate to the construction and application of Cas9 for multiplexed editing of human cells.

Applicants have provided a human codon-optimized, nuclear localization sequence-flanked Cas9 to facilitate eukaryotic gene editing. Applicants describe considerations for designing the 20-nt guide sequence, protocols for rapid construction and functional validation of sgRNAs, and finally use of the Cas9 nuclease to mediate both NHEJ- and HDR-based genome modifications in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293FT) and human stem cell (HUES9) lines. This protocol can likewise be applied to other cell types and organisms.

Target selection for sgRNA: There are two main considerations in the selection of the 20-nt guide sequence for gene targeting: 1) the target sequence should precede the 5′-NGG PAM for S. pyogenes Cas9, and 2) guide sequences should be chosen to minimize off-target activity. Applicants provided an online Cas9 targeting design tool that takes an input sequence of interest and identifies suitable target sites. To experimentally assess off-target modifications for each sgRNA, Applicants also provide computationally predicted off-target sites for each intended target, ranked according to Applicants' quantitative specificity analysis on the effects of base-pairing mismatch identity, position, and distribution.

The detailed information on computationally predicted off-target sites is as follows:

Considerations for Off-target Cleavage Activities: Similar to other nucleases, Cas9 can cleave off-target DNA targets in the genome at reduced frequencies. The extent to which a given guide sequence exhibit off-target activity depends on a combination of factors including enzyme concentration, thermodynamics of the specific guide sequence employed, and the abundance of similar sequences in the target genome. For routine application of Cas9, it is important to consider ways to minimize the degree of off-target cleavage and also to be able to detect the presence of off-target cleavage.

Minimizing off-target activity: For application in cell lines, Applicants recommend following two steps to reduce the degree of off-target genome modification. First, using Applicants' online CRISPR target selection tool, it is possible to computationally assess the likelihood of a given guide sequence to have off-target sites. These analyses are performed through an exhaustive search in the genome for off-target sequences that are similar sequences as the guide sequence. Comprehensive experimental investigation of the effect of mismatching bases between the sgRNA and its target DNA revealed that mismatch tolerance is 1) position dependent—the 8-14 bp on the 3′ end of the guide sequence are less tolerant of mismatches than the 5′ bases, 2) quantity dependent—in general more than 3 mismatches are not tolerated, 3) guide sequence dependent—some guide sequences are less tolerant of mismatches than others, and 4) concentration dependent—off-target cleavage is highly sensitive to the amount of transfected DNA. The Applicants' target site analysis web tool (available at the website genome-engineering.org/tools) integrates these criteria to provide predictions for likely off-target sites in the target genome. Second, Applicants recommend titrating the amount of Cas9 and sgRNA expression plasmid to minimize off-target activity.

Detection of off-target activities: Using Applicants' CRISPR targeting web tool, it is possible to generate a list of most likely off-target sites as well as primers performing SURVEYOR or sequencing analysis of those sites. For isogenic clones generated using Cas9, Applicants strongly recommend sequencing these candidate off-target sites to check for any undesired mutations. It is worth noting that there may be off target modifications in sites that are not included in the predicted candidate list and full genome sequence should be performed to completely verify the absence of off-target sites. Furthermore, in multiplex assays where several DSBs are induced within the same genome, there may be low rates of translocation events and can be evaluated using a variety of techniques such as deep sequencing.

The online tool provides the sequences for all oligos and primers necessary for 1) preparing the sgRNA constructs, 2) assaying target modification efficiency, and 3) assessing cleavage at potential off-target sites. It is worth noting that because the U6 RNA polymerase III promoter used to express the sgRNA prefers a guanine (G) nucleotide as the first base of its transcript, an extra G is appended at the 5′ of the sgRNA where the 20-nt guide sequence does not begin with G.

Approaches for sgRNA construction and delivery: Depending on the desired application, sgRNAs may be delivered as either 1) PCR amplicons containing an expression cassette or 2) sgRNA-expressing plasmids. PCR-based sgRNA delivery appends the custom sgRNA sequence onto the reverse PCR primer used to amplify a U6 promoter template. The resulting amplicon may be co-transfected with a plasmid containing Cas9 (PX165). This method is optimal for rapid screening of multiple candidate sgRNAs, as cell transfections for functional testing can be performed mere hours after obtaining the sgRNA-encoding primers. Because this simple method obviates the need for plasmid-based cloning and sequence verification, it is well suited for testing or co-transfecting a large number of sgRNAs for generating large knockout libraries or other scale-sensitive applications. Note that the sgRNA-encoding primers are over 100-bp, compared to the ˜20-bp oligos required for plasmid-based sgRNA delivery.

Construction of an expression plasmid for sgRNA is also simple and rapid, involving a single cloning step with a pair of partially complementary oligonucleotides. After annealing the oligo pairs, the resulting guide sequences may be inserted into a plasmid bearing both Cas9 and an invariant scaffold bearing the remainder of the sgRNA sequence (PX330). The transfection plasmids may also be modified to enable virus production for in vivo delivery.

In addition to PCR and plasmid-based delivery methods, both Cas9 and sgRNA can be introduced into cells as RNA.

Design of repair template: Traditionally, targeted DNA modifications have required use of plasmid-based donor repair templates that contain homology arms flanking the site of alteration. The homology arms on each side can vary in length, but are typically longer than 500 bp. This method can be used to generate large modifications, including insertion of reporter genes such as fluorescent proteins or antibiotic resistance markers. The design and construction of targeting plasmids has been described elsewhere.

More recently, single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides (ssODNs) have been used in place of targeting plasmids for short modifications within a defined locus without cloning. To achieve high HDR efficiencies, ssODNs contain flanking sequences of at least 40 bp on each side that are homologous to the target region, and can be oriented in either the sense or antisense direction relative to the target locus.

Functional Testing

SURVEYOR nuclease assay: Applicants detected indel mutations either by the SURVEYOR nuclease assay (or PCR amplicon sequencing. Applicants online CRISPR target design tool provides recommended primers for both approaches. However, SURVEYOR or sequencing primers may also be designed manually to amplify the region of interest from genomic DNA and to avoid non-specific amplicons using NCBI Primer-BLAST. SURVEYOR primers should be designed to amplify 300-400 bp (for a 600-800 bp total amplicon) on either side of the Cas9 target for allowing clear visualization of cleavage bands by gel electrophoresis. To prevent excessive primer dimer formation, SURVEYOR primers should be designed to be typically under 25-nt long with melting temperatures of −60° C. Applicants recommend testing each pair of candidate primers for specific PCR amplicons as well as for the absence of non-specific cleavage during the SURVEYOR nuclease digestion process.

Plasmid- or ssODN-mediated HDR: HDR can be detected via PCR-amplification and sequencing of the modified region. PCR primers for this purpose should anneal outside the region spanned by the homology arms to avoid false detection of residual repair template (HDR Fwd and Rev, FIG. 30). For ssODN-mediated HDR, SURVEYOR PCR primers can be used.

Detection of indels or HDR by sequencing: Applicants detected targeted genome modifications by either Sanger or next-generation deep sequencing (NGS). For the former, genomic DNA from modified region can be amplified using either SURVEYOR or HDR primers. Amplicons should be subcloned into a plasmid such as pUC19 for transformation; individual colonies can be sequenced to reveal clonal genotype.

Applicants designed next-generation sequencing (NGS) primers for shorter amplicons, typically in the 100-200 bp size range. For detecting NHEJ mutations, it is important to design primers with at least 10-20 bp between the priming regions and the Cas9 target site to allow detection of longer indels. Applicants provide guidelines for a two-step PCR method to attach barcoded adapters for multiplex deep sequencing. Applicants recommend the Illumina platform, due to its generally low levels of false positive indels. Off-target analysis (described previously) can then be performed through read alignment programs such as ClustalW, Geneious, or simple sequence analysis scripts.

Materials and Reagents

Sgrna Preparation:

UltraPure DNaseRNase-free distilled water (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10977-023)

Herculase II fusion polymerase (Agilent Technologies, cat. no. 600679)

CRITICAL. Standard Taq polymerase, which lacks 3′-5′ exonuclease proofreading activity, has lower fidelity and can lead to amplification errors. Herculase II is a high-fidelity polymerase (equivalent fidelity to Pfu) that produces high yields of PCR product with minimal optimization. Other high-fidelity polymerases may be substituted.

Herculase II reaction buffer (5×; Agilent Technologies, included with polymerase)

dNTP solution mix (25 mM each; Enzymatics, cat. no. N205L)

MgCl2 (25 mM; ThermoScientific, cat. no. R0971)

QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen, cat. no. 28704)

QIAprep spin miniprep kit (Qiagen, cat. no. 27106)

UltraPure TBE buffer (10×; Life Technologies, cat. no. 15581-028)

SeaKem LE agarose (Lonza, cat. no. 50004)

SYBR Safe DNA stain (10,000×; Life Technologies, cat. no. S33102)

1-kb Plus DNA ladder (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10787-018)

TrackIt CyanOrange loading buffer (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10482-028)

FastDigest BbsI (BpiI) (Fermentas/ThermoScientific, cat. no. FD1014)

Fermentas Tango Buffer (Fermentas/ThermoScientific, cat. no. BY5)

DL-dithiothreitol (DTT; Fermentas/ThermoScientific, cat. no. R0862)

T7 DNA ligase (Enzymatics, cat. no. L602L)

Critical: Do not substitute the more commonly used T4 ligase. T7 ligase has 1,000-fold higher activity on the sticky ends than on the blunt ends and higher overall activity than commercially available concentrated T4 ligases.

T7 2× Rapid Ligation Buffer (included with T7 DNA ligase, Enzymatics, cat. no. L602L)

T4 Polynucleotide Kinase (New England Biolabs, cat. no M0201S)

T4 DNA Ligase Reaction Buffer (10×; New England Biolabs, cat. no B0202S)

Adenosine 5′-triphosphate (10 mM; New England Biolabs, cat. no. P0756S)

PlasmidSafe ATP-dependent DNase (Epicentre, cat. no. E3101K)

One Shot Stbl3 chemically competent Escherichia coli (E. coli) (Life Technologies, cat. no. C7373-03)

SOC medium (New England Biolabs, cat. no. B9020S)

LB medium (Sigma, cat. no. L3022)

LB agar medium (Sigma, cat. no. L2897)

Ampicillin, sterile filtered (100 mg ml-1; Sigma, cat. no. A5354)

Mammalian cell culture:

HEK293FT cells (Life Technologies, cat. no. R700-07)

Dulbecco's minimum Eagle's medium (DMEM, 1×, high glucose; Life Technologies, cat. no. 10313-039)

Dulbecco's minimum Eagle's medium (DMEM, 1×, high glucose, no phenol red; Life Technologies, cat. no. 31053-028)

Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS, 1×; Life Technologies, cat. no. 14190-250)

Fetal bovine serum, qualified and heat inactivated (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10438-034)

Opti-MEM I reduced-serum medium (FBS; Life Technologies, cat. no. 11058-021)

Penicillin-streptomycin (100×; Life Technologies, cat. no. 15140-163)

TrypLE™ Express (1×, no Phenol Red; Life Technologies, cat. no. 12604-013)

Lipofectamine 2000 transfection reagent (Life Technologies, cat. no. 11668027)

Amaxa SF Cell Line 4D-Nucleofector® X Kit S (32 RCT; Lonza, cat. no V4XC-2032)

HUES 9 cell line (HARVARD STEM CELL SCIENCE)

Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Life Technologies, cat. no. A1413201)

mTeSR1 medium (Stemcell Technologies, cat. no. 05850)

Accutase cell detachment solution (Stemcell Technologies, cat. no. 07920)

ROCK Inhibitor (Y-27632; Millipore, cat. no. SCM075)

Amaxa P3 Primary Cell 4D-Nucleofector® X Kit S (32 RCT; Lonza cat. no. V4XP-3032)

Genotyping analysis:

QuickExtract DNA extraction solution (Epicentre, cat. no. QE09050)

PCR primers for SURVEYOR, RFLP analysis, or sequencing (see Primer table)

Herculase II fusion polymerase (Agilent Technologies, cat. no. 600679)

CRITICAL. As Surveyor assay is sensitive to single-base mismatches, it is particularly important to use a high-fidelity polymerase. Other high-fidelity polymerases may be substituted.

Herculase II reaction buffer (5×; Agilent Technologies, included with polymerase)

dNTP solution mix (25 mM each; Enzymatics, cat. no. N205L)

QIAquick gel extraction kit (Qiagen, cat. no. 28704)

Taq Buffer (10×; Genscript, cat. no. B0005)

SURVEYOR mutation detection kit for standard gel electrophoresis (Transgenomic, cat. no. 706025)

UltraPure TBE buffer (10×; Life Technologies, cat. no. 15581-028)

SeaKem LE agarose (Lonza, cat. no. 50004)

4-20% TBE Gels 1.0 mm, 15 Well (Life Technologies, cat. no. EC62255BOX)

Novex® Hi-Density TBE Sample Buffer (5×; Life Technologies, cat. no. LC6678)

SYBR Gold Nucleic Acid Gel Stain (10,000×; Life Technologies, cat. no. S-11494)

1-kb Plus DNA ladder (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10787-018)

TrackIt CyanOrange loading buffer (Life Technologies, cat. no. 10482-028)

FastDigest HindIII (Fermentas/ThermoScientific, cat. no. FD0504)

Equipment

Filtered sterile pipette tips (Corning)

Standard 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes (Eppendorf, cat. no. 0030 125.150)

Axygen 96-well PCR plates (VWR, cat. no. PCR-96M2-HSC)

Axygen 8-Strip PCR tubes (Fischer Scientific, cat. no. 14-222-250)

Falcon tubes, polypropylene. 15 ml (BD Falcon, cat. no 352097)

Falcon tubes, polypropylene, 50 ml (13D Falcon, cat. no 352070)

Round-bottom Tube with cell strainer cap, 5 ml (BD Falcon, cat. no. 352235)

Petri dishes (60 mm×15 mm; BD Biosciences, cat. no. 351007)

Tissue culture plate (24 well; BD Falcon, cat. no. 353047)

Tissue culture plate (96 well, flat bottom; BD Falcon, cat. no. 353075)

Tissue culture dish (100 mm; BD Falcon, 353003)

96-well thermocycler with programmable temperature stepping functionality (Applied Biosystems Veriti, cat. no. 4375786).

Desktop microcentrifuges 5424, 5804 (Eppendorf)

Gel electrophoresis system (PowerPac basic power supply, Bio-Rad,

cat. no. 164-5050, and Sub-Cell GT System gel tray, Bio-Rad, cat. no. 170-4401)

Novex XCell SureLock Mini-Cell (Life Technologies, cat. no. EI0001)

Digital gel imaging system (GelDoc EZ, Bio-Rad, cat. no. 170-8270, and blue sample tray, Bio-Rad, cat. no. 170-8273)

Blue light transilluminator and orange filter goggles (SafeImager 2.0; Invitrogen, cat. no. G6600)

Gel quantification software (Bio-Rad, ImageLab, included with GelDoc EZ, or open-source ImageJ from the National Institutes of Health, available at the website rsbweb.nih.gov/j/) UV spectrophotometer (NanoDrop 2000c, Thermo Scientific)

Reagent Setup

Tris-borate EDTA (TBE) electrophoresis solution Dilute TBE buffer in distilled water to 1× working solution for casting agarose gels and for use as

a buffer for gel electrophoresis. Buffer may be stored at room temperature

(18-22° C.) for at least 1 year.

-   -   ATP, 10 mM Divide 10 mM ATP into 50-μl aliquots and store at         −20° C. for up to 1 year; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.     -   DTT, 10 mM Prepare 10 mM DTT solution in distilled water and         store in 20-μl aliquots at −70° C. for up to 2 years; for each         reaction, use a new aliquot, as DTT is easily oxidized.     -   D10 culture medium For culture of HEK293FT cells, prepare D10         culture medium by supplementing DMEM with 1× GlutaMAX and 10%         (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum. As indicated in the protocol, this         medium can also be supplemented with 1× penicillin-streptomycin.         D10 medium can be made in advance and stored at 4° C. for up to         1 month.     -   mTeSR1 culture medium For culture of human embryonic stem cells,         prepare mTeSR1 medium by supplementing the 5× supplement         (included with mTeSR1 basal medium), and 100 ug/ml Normocin.

Procedure

Design of targeting components and use of the online tool • Timing 1 d

1| Input target genomic DNA sequence. Applicants provide an online Cas9 targeting design tool that takes an input sequence of interest, identifies and ranks suitable target sites, and computationally predicts off-target sites for each intended target. Alternatively, one can manually select guide sequence by identifying the 20-bp sequence directly upstream of any 5′-NGG.

2| Order necessary oligos and primers as specified by the online tool. If the site is chosen manually, the oligos and primers should be designed.

Preparation of sgRNA Expression Construct

3| To generate the sgRNA expression construct, either the PCR- or plasmid-based protocol can be used.

(A) via PCR amplification • Timing 2 h

(i) Applicants prepare diluted U6 PCR template. Applicants recommend using PX330 as a PCR template, but any U6-containing plasmid may likewise be used as the PCR template. Applicants diluted template with ddH₂O to a concentration of 10 ng/ul. Note that if a plasmid or cassette already containing an U6-driven sgRNA is used as a template, a gel extraction needs to be performed to ensure that the product contains only the intended sgRNA and no trace sgRNA carryover from template.

(ii) Applicants prepared diluted PCR oligos. U6-Fwd and U6-sgRNA-Rev primers are diluted to a final concentration of 10 uM in ddH₂O (add 10 ul of 100 uM primer to 90 ul ddH₂O).

(iii) U6-sgRNA PCR reaction. Applicants set up the following reaction for each U6-sgRNA-Rev primer and mastermix as needed:

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 0.5 1 mM U6 template (PX330) 1 0.2 ng/ul U6-Fwd primer 1 0.2 uM U6-sgRNA-Rev primer (variable) 1 0.2 uM Herculase II Fusion polymerase 0.5 Distilled water 36 Total 50

(iv) Applicants performed PCR reaction on the reactions from step (iii) using the following cycling conditions:

Cycle number Denature Anneal Extend  1 95° C., 2 m 2-31 95° C., 20 s 60° C., 20 s 72° C., 20 s 32 72° C., 3 m

(v) After the reaction is completed, Applicants ran the product on a gel to verify successful, single-band amplification. Cast a 2% (wt/vol) agarose gel in 1×TBE buffer with 1× SYBR Safe dye. Run 5 ul of the PCR product in the gel at 15 V cm-1 for 20-30 min. Successful amplicons should yield one single 370-bp product and the template should be invisible. It should not be necessary to gel extract the PCR amplicon.

(vi) Applicants purified the PCR product using the QIAquick PCR purification kit according to the manufacturer's directions. Elute the DNA in 35 ul of Buffer EB or water. Purified PCR products may be stored at 4° C. or −20° C.

(B) Cloning sgRNA into Cas9-containing bicistronic expression vector • Timing 3 d

(i) Prepare the sgRNA oligo inserts. Applicants resuspended the top and bottom strands of oligos for each sgRNA design to a final concentration of 100 uM. Phosphorylate and anneal the oligo as follows:

Oligo 1 (100 uM) 1 ul Oligo 2 (100 uM) 1 ul T4 Ligation Buffer, 10X 1 ul T4 PNK 1 ul ddH₂O 6 ul Total 10 ul

(ii) Anneal in a thermocycler using the following parameters:

37° C. for 30 m

95° C. for 5 m

Ramp down to 25° C. at 5° C. per m

(iii) Applicants diluted phosphorylated and annealed oligos 1:200 by add lul of oligo to 199 ul room temperature ddH₂O.

(iv) Clone sgRNA oligo into PX330. Applicants set up Golden Gate reaction for each sgRNA. Applicants recommend also setting up a no-insert, PX330 only negative control.

PX330 (100 ng) x ul Diluted oligo duplex from step (iii) 2 ul Tango Buffer, 10X 2 ul DTT, 10 mM 1 ul ATP, 10 mM 1 ul FastDigest BbsI 1 ul T7 Ligase 0.5 ul ddH₂O x ul Total 20 ul

(v) Incubate the Golden Gate reaction for a total of 1 h:

Cycle number Condition 1-6 37° C. for 5 m, 21° C. for 5 m

(vi) Applicants treated Golden Gate reaction with PlasmidSafe exonuclease to digest any residual linearized DNA. This step is optional but highly recommended.

Golden Gate reaction from step 4 11 ul 10X PlasmidSafe Buffer 1.5 ul  ATP, 10 mM 1.5 ul  PlasmidSafe exonuclease  1 ul Total 15 ul

(vii) Applicants incubated the PlasmidSafe reaction at 37° C. for 30 min, followed by inactivation at 70° C. for 30 min. Pause point: after completion, the reaction may be frozen and continued later. The circular DNA should be stable for at least 1 week.

(viii) Transformation. Applicants transformed the PlasmidSafe-treated plasmid into a competent E. coli strain, according to the protocol supplied with the cells. Applicants recommend Stbl3 for quick transformation. Briefly, Applicants added 5 ul of the product from step (vii) into 20 ul of ice-cold chemically competent Stbl3 cells. This is then incubated on ice for 10 m, heat shocked at 42° C. for 30 s, returned immediately to ice for 2 m, 100 ul of SOC medium is added, and this is plated onto an LB plate containing 100 ug/ml ampicillin with incubation overnight at 37° C.

(ix) Day 2: Applicants inspected plates for colony growth. Typically, there are no colonies on the negative control plates (ligation of BbsI-digested PX330 only, no annealed sgRNA oligo), and tens to hundreds of colonies on the PX330-sgRNA cloning plates.

(x) From each plate, Applicants picked 2-3 colonies to check correct insertion of sgRNA. Applicants used a sterile pipette tip to inoculate a single colony into a 3 ml culture of LB medium with 100 ug/ml ampicillin. Incubate and shake at 37° C. overnight.

(xi) Day 3: Applicants isolated plasmid DNA from overnight cultures using a QiAprep Spin miniprep kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

(xii) Sequence validate CRISPR plasmid. Applicants verified the sequence of each colony by sequencing from the U6 promoter using the U6-Fwd primer. Optional: sequence the Cas9 gene using primers listed in the following Primer table 14.

TABLE 14 Primer Sequence (5′ to 3′) (SEQ ID NO:) Purpose U6-For GAGGGCCTATTTCCCATGATTCC 182 Amplify U6-sgRNA U6-Rev AAAAAAAGCACCGACTCGGTGCCACTTTTTCAAGTTGA 183 Amplify U6-sgRNA; TAACGGACTAGCCTTATTTTAACTTGCTATTTCTAGCT N is reverse CTAAAACNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNCCGGTGTTTCGT complement of CCTTTCCACAAG target sgRNA- CACCGNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN 184 Clone sgRNA into top PX330 sgRNA- AAACNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNC 185 Clone sgRNA into bottom PX330 U6- AAAAAAAGCACCGACTCGGTGCCACTTTTTCAAGTTGA 186 Amplify U6-EMX1 EMX1- TAACGGACTAGCCTTATTTTAACTTGCTATTTCTAGCT sgRNA Rev CTAAAACCCCTAGTCATTGGAGGTGACCGGTGTTTCGT CCTTTCCACAAG EMX1- CACCGTCACCTCCAATGACTAGGG 187 Clone EXM1 sgRNA top into PX330 EMX1- AAACCCCTAGTCATTGGAGGTGAC 188 Clone EXM1 sgRNA bottom into PX330 ssODN- CAGAAGAAGAAGGGCTCCCATCACATCAACCGGTGGCG 189 EMX1 HDR sense CATTGCCACGAAGCAGGCCAATGGGGAGGACATCGATG (sense insertion TCACCTCCAATGACAAGCTTGCTAGCGGTGGGCAACCA underlined) CAAACCCACGAGGGCAGAGTGCTGCTTGCTGCTGGCCA GGCCCCTGCGTGGGCCCAAGCTGGACTCTGGCCACTCC T ssODN- AGGGAGTGGCCAGAGTCCAGCTTGGGCCCACGCAGGGG 190 EMX1 HDR antisense CCTGGCCAGCAGCAAGCAGCACTCTGCCCTCGTGGGTT (antisense; TGTGGTTGCCCACCGCTAGCAAGCTTGTCATTGGAGGT insertion GACATCGATGTCCTCCCCATTGGCCTGCTTCGTGGCAA underlined) TGCGCCACCGGTTGATGTGATGGGAGCCCTTCTTCTTC TG EMX1- CCATCCCCTTCTGTGAATGT 191 EMX1 SURVEYOR SURV-F assay PCR, sequencing EMX1- GGAGATTGGAGACACGGAGA 192 EMX1 SURVEYOR SURV-R assay PCR, sequencing EMX1- GGCTCCCTGGGTTCAAAGTA 193 EMX1 RFLP HDR-F analysis PCR, sequencing EMX1- AGAGGGGTCTGGATGTCGTAA 194 EMX1 RFLP HDR-R analysis PCR, sequencing pUC19-F CGCCAGGGTTTTCCCAGTCACGAC 195 pUC19 multiple cloning site F primer, for Sanger sequencing

Applicants referenced the sequencing results against the PX330 cloning vector sequence to check that the 20 bp guide sequence was inserted between the U6 promoter and the remainder of the sgRNA scaffold. Details and sequence of the PX330 map in GenBank vector map format (*.gb file) can be found at the website crispr.genome-engineering.org.

(Optional) Design of ssODN Template • Timing 3 d Planning Ahead

3| Design and order ssODN. Either the sense or antisense ssODN can be purchased directly from supplier. Applicants recommend designing homology arms of at least 40 bp on either side and 90 bp for optimal HDR efficiency. In Applicants' experience, antisense oligos have slightly higher modification efficiencies.

4| Applicants resuspended and diluted ssODN ultramers to a final concentration of 10 uM. Do not combine or anneal the sense and antisense ssODNs. Store at −20° C.

5| Note for HDR applications, Applicants recommend cloning sgRNA into the PX330 plasmid.

Functional Validation of sgRNAs: Cell Culture and Transfections • Timing 3-4 d

The CRISPR-Cas system has been used in a number of mammalian cell lines. Conditions may vary for each cell line. The protocols below details transfection conditions for HEK239FT cells. Note for ssODN-mediated HDR transfections, the Amaxa SF Cell Line Nucleofector Kit is used for optimal delivery of ssODNs. This is described in the next section.

7| HEK293FT maintenance. Cells are maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Briefly, Applicants cultured cells in D10 medium (GlutaMax DMEM supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum), at 37° C. and 5% CO2.

8| To passage, Applicants removed medium and rinsed once by gently adding DPBS to side of vessel, so as not to dislodge cells. Applicants added 2 ml of TrypLE to a T75 flask and incubated for 5 m at 37° C. 10 ml of warm D10 medium is added to inactivate and transferred to a 50 ml Falcon tube. Applicants dissociated cells by triturating gently, and re-seeded new flasks as necessary. Applicants typically passage cells every 2-3 d at a split ratio of 1:4 or 1:8, never allowing cells to reach more than 70% confluency. Cell lines are restarted upon reaching passage number 15.

9| Prepare cells for transfection. Applicants plated well-dissociated cells onto 24-well plates in D10 medium without antibiotics 16-24 h before transfection at a seeding density of 1.3×10⁵ cells per well and a seeding volume of 500 ul. Scale up or down according to the manufacturer's manual as needed. It is suggested to not plate more cells than recommended density as doing so may reduce transfection efficiency.

10| On the day of transfection, cells are optimal at 70-90% confluency. Cells may be transfected with Lipofectamine 2000 or Amaxa SF Cell Line Nucleofector Kit according to the manufacturers' protocols.

(A) For sgRNAs cloned into PX330, Applicants transfected 500 ng of sequence-verified CRISPR plasmid; if transfecting more than one plasmid, mix at equimolar ratio and no more than 500 ng total.

(B) For sgRNA amplified by PCR, Applicants mixed the following:

PX165 (Cas9 only) 200 ng sgRNA amplicon (each)  40 ng pUC19 fill up total DNA to 500 ng

Applicants recommend transfecting in technical triplicates for reliable quantification and including transfection controls (e.g. GFP plasmid) to monitor transfection efficiency. In addition, PX330 cloning plasmid and/or sgRNA amplicon may be transfected alone as a negative control for downstream functional assays.

11| Applicants added Lipofectamine complex to cells gently as HEK293FT cells may detach easily from plate easily and result in lower transfection efficiency.

12| Applicants checked cells 24 h after transfection for efficiency by estimating the fraction of fluorescent cells in the control (e.g., GFP) transfection using a fluorescence microscope. Typically cells are more than 70% transfected.

13| Applicants supplemented the culture medium with an additional 500 ul of warm D10 medium. Add D10 very slowly to the side of the well and do not use cold medium, as cells can detach easily.

14| Cells are incubated for a total of 48-72 h post-transfection before harvested for indel analysis. Indel efficiency does not increase noticeably after 48 h.

(Optional) Co-Transfection of CRISPR Plasmids and ssODNs or Targeting Plasmids for HR • Timing 3-4 d

15| Linearize targeting plasmid. Targeting vector is linearized if possible by cutting once at a restriction site in the vector backbone near one of the homology arms or at the distal end of either homology arm.

16| Applicants ran a small amount of the linearized plasmid alongside uncut plasmid on a 0.8-1% agarose gel to check successful linearization. Linearized plasmid should run above the supercoiled plasmid.

17| Applicants purified linearized plasmid with the QIAQuick PCR Purification kit.

18| Prepare cells for transfection. Applicants cultured HEK293FT in T75 or T225 flasks. Sufficient cell count before day of transfection is planned for. For the Amaxa strip-cuvette format, 2×10⁶ cells are used per transfection.

19| Prepare plates for transfection. Applicants added 1 ml of warm D10 medium into each well of a 12 well plate. Plates are placed into the incubator to keep medium warm.

20| Nucleofection. Applicants transfected HEK293FT cells according to the Amaxa SF Cell Line Nucleofector 4D Kit manufacturer's instructions, adapted in the steps below.

a. For ssODN and CRISPR cotransfection, pre-mix the following DNA in PCR tubes:

pCRISPR plasmid (Cas9 + sgRNA) 500 ng ssODN template (10 uM) 1 ul

b. For HDR targeting plasmid and CRISPR cotransfection, pre-mix the following DNA in PCR tubes:

CRISPR plasmid (Cas9 + sgRNA) 500 ng Linearized targeting plasmid 500 ng

For transfection controls, see previous section. In addition, Applicants recommend transfecting ssODN or targeting plasmid alone as a negative control.

21| Dissociate to single cells. Applicants removed medium and rinsed once gently with DPBS, taking care not to dislodge cells. 2 ml of TrypLE is added to a T75 flask and incubated for 5 m at 37° C. 10 ml of warm D10 medium is added to inactivate and triturated gently in a 50 ml Falcon tube. It is recommended that cells are triturated gently and dissociated to single cells. Large clumps will reduce transfection efficiency. Applicants took a 10 ul aliquot from the suspension and diluted into 90 ul of D10 medium for counting. Applicants counted cells and calculated the number of cells and volume of suspension needed for transfection. Applicants typically transfected 2×10⁵ cells per condition using the Amaxa Nucleocuvette strips, and recommend calculating for 20% more cells than required to adjust for volume loss in subsequent pipetting steps. The volume needed is transferred into a new Falcon tube.

23| Applicants spun down the new tube at 200× g for 5 m.

Applicants prepared the transfection solution by mixing the SF solution and S1 supplement as recommended by Amaxa. For Amaxa strip-cuvettes, a total of 20 ul of supplemented SF solution is needed per transfection. Likewise, Applicants recommend calculating for 20% more volume than required.

25| Applicants removed medium completely from pelleted cells from step 23 and gently resuspended in appropriate volume (20 ul per 2×10⁵ cells) of S1-supplemented SF solution. Do not leave cells in SF solution for extended period of time.

26| 20 ul of resuspended cells is pipetted into each DNA pre-mix from step 20. Pipette gently to mix and transfer to Nucleocuvette strip chamber. This is repeated for each transfection condition.

Electroporate cells using the Nucleofector 4D program recommended by Amaxa, CM-130.

28| Applicants gently and slowly pipetted 100 ul of warm D10 medium into each Nucleocuvette strip chamber, and transferred all volume into the pre-warmed plate from step 19. CRITICAL. Cells are very fragile at this stage and harsh pipetting can cause cell death. Incubate for 24 h. At this point, transfection efficiency can be estimated from fraction of fluorescent cells in positive transfection control. Nucleofection typically results in greater than 70-80% transfection efficiency. Applicants slowly added 1 ml warm D10 medium to each well without dislodging the cells. Incubate cells for a total of 72 h.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell (HUES 9) Culture and Transfection • Timing 3-4 d

Maintaining hESC (HUES9) line. Applicants routinely maintain HUES9 cell line in feeder-free conditions with mTesR1 medium. Applicants prepared mTeSR1 medium by adding the 5× supplement included with basal medium and 100 ug/ml Normocin. Applicants prepared a 10 ml aliquot of mTeSR1 medium supplemented further with 10 uM Rock Inhibitor. Coat tissue culture plate. Dilute cold GelTrex 1:100 in cold DMEM and coat the entire surface of a 100 mm tissue culture plate.

Place plate in incubator for at least 30 m at 37° C. Thaw out a vial of cells at 37° C. in a 15 ml Falcon tube, add 5 ml of mTeSR1 medium, and pellet at 200× g for 5 m. Aspirate off GelTrex coating and seed ˜1×106 cells with 10 ml mTeSR1 medium containing Rock Inhibitor. Change to normal mTeSR1 medium 24 h after transfection and re-feed daily. Passaging cells. Re-feed cells with fresh mTeSR1 medium daily and passage before reaching 70% confluency. Aspirate off mTeSR1 medium and wash cells once with DPBS. Dissociate cells by adding 2 ml Accutase and incubating at 37° C. for 3-5 m. Add 10 ml mTeSR1 medium to detached cells, transfer to 15 ml Falcon tube and resuspend gently. Re-plate onto GelTrex-coated plates in mTeSR1 medium with 10 uM Rock Inhibitor. Change to normal mTeSR1 medium 24 h after plating.

Transfection. Applicants recommend culturing cells for at least 1 week post-thaw before transfecting using the Amaxa P3 Primary Cell 4-D Nucleofector Kit (Lonza). Re-feed log-phase growing cells with fresh medium 2 h before transfection. Dissociate to single cells or small clusters of no more than 10 cells with accutase and gentle resuspension. Count the number of cells needed for nucleofection and spin down at 200× g for 5 m. Remove medium completely and resuspend in recommended volume of S1-supplemented P3 nucleofection solution. Gently plate electroporated cells into coated plates in presence of 1× Rock Inhibitor.

Check transfection success and re-feed daily with regular mTeSR1 medium beginning 24 h after nucleofection. Typically, Applicants observe greater than 70% transfection efficiency with Amaxa Nucleofection. Harvest DNA. 48-72 h post transfection, dissociate cells using accutase and inactivate by adding 5× volume of mTeSR1. Spin cells down at 200× g for 5 m. Pelleted cells can be directed processed for DNA extraction with QuickExtract solution. It is recommended to not mechanically dissociate cells without accutase. It is recommended to not spin cells down without inactivating accutase or above the recommended speed; doing so may cause cells to lyse.

Isolation of Clonal Cell Lines by FACS. Timing • 2-3 h Hands-on; 2-3 Weeks Expansion

Clonal isolation may be performed 24 h post-transfection by FACS or by serial dilution.

54| Prepare FACS buffer. Cells that do not need sorting using colored fluorescence may be sorted in regular D10 medium supplemented with 1× penicillin/streptinomycin. If colored fluorescence sorting is also required, a phenol-free DMEM or DPBS is substituted for normal DMEM. Supplement with 1× penicillin/streptinomycin and filter through a 0.22 um Steriflip filter.

55| Prepare 96 well plates. Applicants added 100 ul of D10 media supplemented with 1× penicillin/streptinomycin per well and prepared the number of plates as needed for the desired number of clones.

56| Prepare cells for FACS. Applicants dissociated cells by aspirating the medium completely and adding 100 ul TrypLE per well of a 24-well plate. Incubate for 5 m and add 400 ul warm D10 media.

57| Resuspended cells are transferred into a 15 ml Falcon tube and gently triturated 20 times. Recommended to check under the microscope to ensure dissociation to single cells.

58| Spin down cells at 200× g for 5 minutes.

59| Applicants aspirated the media, and resuspended the cells in 200 ul of FACS media.

60| Cells are filtered through a 35 um mesh filter into labeled FACS tubes. Applicants recommend using the BD Falcon 12×75 mm Tube with Cell Strainer cap. Place cells on ice until sorting.

61| Applicants sorted single cells into 96-well plates prepared from step 55. Applicants recommend that in one single designated well on each plate, sort 100 cells as a positive control.

NOTE. The remainder of the cells may be kept and used for genotyping at the population level to gauge overall modification efficiency.

62| Applicants returned cells into the incubator and allowed them to expand for 2-3 weeks. 100 ul of warm D10 medium is added 5 d post sorting. Change 100 ul of medium every 3-5 d as necessary.

63| Colonies are inspected for “clonal” appearance 1 week post sorting: rounded colonies radiating from a central point. Mark off wells that are empty or may have been seeded with doublets or multiplets.

64| When cells are more than 60% confluent, Applicants prepared a set of replica plates for passaging. 100 ul of D10 medium is added to each well in the replica plates. Applicants dissociated cells directly by pipetting up and down vigorously 20 times. 20% of the resuspended volume was plated into the prepared replica plates to keep the clonal lines. Change the medium every 2-3 d thereafter and passage accordingly.

65| Use the remainder 80% of cells for DNA isolation and genotyping.

Optional: Isolation of clonal cell lines by dilution. Timing • 2-3 h hands-on; 2-3 weeks expansion

66| Applicants dissociated cells from 24-well plates as described above. Make sure to dissociate to single cells. A cell strainer can be used to prevent clumping of cells.

67| The number of cells are counted in each condition. Serially dilute each condition in D10 medium to a final concentration of 0.5 cells per 100 ul. For each 96 well plate, Applicants recommend diluting to a final count of 60 cells in 12 ml of D10. Accurate count of cell number is recommended for appropriate clonal dilution. Cells may be recounted at an intermediate serial dilution stage to ensure accuracy.

68| Multichannel pipette was used to pipette 100 ul of diluted cells to each well of a 96 well plate.

NOTE. The remainder of the cells may be kept and used for genotyping at the population level to gauge overall modification efficiency.

69| Applicants inspected colonies for “clonal” appearance ˜1 week post plating: rounded colonies radiating from a central point. Mark off wells that may have seeded with doublets or multiplets.

70| Applicants returned cells to the incubator and allowed them to expand for 2-3 weeks. Re-feed cells as needed as detailed in previous section.

SURVEYOR Assay for CRISPR Cleavage Efficiency. Timing • 5-6 h

Before assaying cleavage efficiency of transfected cells, Applicants recommend testing each new SURVEYOR primer on negative (untransfected) control samples through the step of SURVEYOR nuclease digestion using the protocol described below. Occasionally, even single-band clean SURVEYOR PCR products can yield non-specific SURVEYOR nuclease cleavage bands and potentially interfere with accurate indel analysis.

71| Harvest cells for DNA. Dissociate cells and spin down at 200× g for 5 m. NOTE. Replica plate at this stage as needed to keep transfected cell lines.

72| Aspirate the supernatant completely.

73| Applicants used QuickExtract DNA extraction solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. Applicants typically used 50 ul of the solution for each well of a 24 well plate and 10 ul for a 96 well plate.

74| Applicants normalized extracted DNA to a final concentration of 100-200 ng/ul with ddH2O. Pause point: Extracted DNA may be stored at −20° C. for several months.

75| Set up the SURVEYOR PCR Master mix the following using SURVEYOR primers provided by Applicants online/computer algorithm tool:

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 1 1 mM SURVEYOR Fwd primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM  SURVEYOR Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM  Herculase II Fusion polymerase 1 MgCl₂ (25 mM) 2 1 mM Distilled water 33 Total 49 (for each reaction)

76| Applicants added 100-200 ng of normalized genomic DNA template from step 74 for each reaction.

77| PCR reaction was performed using the following cycling conditions, for no more than 30 amplification cycles:

Cycle number Denature Anneal Extend  1 95° C., 2 min 2-31 95° C., 20 s 60° C., 20 s 72° C., 30 s 32 72° C., 3 min

78| Applicants ran 2-5 ul of PCR product on a 1% gel to check for single-band product. Although these PCR conditions are designed to work with most pairs of SURVEYOR primers, some primers may need additional optimization by adjusting the template concentration, MgCl₂ concentration, and/or the annealing temperature.

79| Applicants purified the PCR reactions using the QIAQuick PCR purification kit and normalized eluant to 20 ng/ul. Pause point: Purified PCR product may be stored at −20° C.

80| DNA heteroduplex formation. The annealing reaction was set up as follows:

Taq PCR buffer, 10X  2 ul Normalized DNA (20 ng/ul) 18 ul Total volume 20 ul

81| Anneal the reaction using the following conditions:

Cycle number Condition 1 95° C., 10 mn 2 95° C.-85° C., −2° C./s 3 85° C., 1 min 4 85° C.-75° C., −0.3° C./s 5 75° C., 1 min 6 75° C.-65° C., −0.3° C./s 7 65° C., 1 min 8 65° C.-55° C., −0.3° C./s 9 55° C., 1 min 10 55° C.-45° C., −0.3° C./s 11 45° C., 1 min 12 45° C.-35° C., −0.3° C./s 13 35° C., 1 min 14 35° C.-25° C., −0.3° C./s 15 25° C., 1 min

82| SURVEYOR nuclease S digestion. Applicants prepared master-mix and added the following components on ice to annealed heteroduplexes from step 81 for a total final volume of 25 ul:

Component Amount (ul) Final Concentration MgCl₂ solution, 0.15M 2.5 15 mM ddH₂O 0.5 SURVEYOR nuclease S 1 1X SURVEYOR enhancer S 1 1X Total 5

83| Vortex well and spin down. Incubate the reaction at 42° C. for 1 h.

84| Optional: 2 ul of the Stop Solution from the SURVEYOR kit may be added. Pause point. The digested product may be stored at −20° C. for analysis at a later time.

85| Visualize the SURVEYOR reaction. SURVEYOR nuclease digestion products may be visualized on a 2% agarose gel. For better resolution, products may be run on a 4-20%/gradient Polyacrylamide TBE gel. Applicants loaded 10 ul of product with the recommended loading buffer and ran the gel according to manufacturer's instructions. Typically, Applicants run until the bromophenol blue dye has migrated to the bottom of the gel. Include DNA ladder and negative controls on the same gel.

86| Applicants stained the gel with 1×SYBR Gold dye diluted in TBE. The gel was gently rocked for 15 m.

87| Applicants imaged the gel using a quantitative imaging system without overexposing the bands. The negative controls should have only one band corresponding to the size of the PCR product, but may have occasionally non-specific cleavage bands of other sizes. These will not interfere with analysis if they are different in size from target cleavage bands. The sum of target cleavage band sizes, provided by Applicants online/computer algorithm tool, should be equal to the size of the PCR product.

88| Estimate the cleavage intensity. Applicants quantified the integrated intensity of each band using ImageJ or other gel quantification software.

89| For each lane, Applicants calculated the fraction of the PCR product cleaved (fct) using the following formula: fa, =(b+c)/(a+b+c), where a is the integrated intensity of the undigested PCR product and b and c are the integrated intensities of each cleavage product. 90| Cleavage efficiency may be estimated using the following formula, based on the binomial probability distribution of duplex formation:

91| indel (%)=100×(1−√{square root over ((1−f _(out)))})

Sanger Sequencing for Assessing CRISPR Cleavage Efficiency. Timing • 3 d

Initial steps are identical to Steps 71-79 of the SURVEYOR assay. Note: SURVEYOR primers may be used for Sanger sequencing if appropriate restriction sites are appended to the Forward and Reverse primers. For cloning into the recommended pUC19 backbone, EcoRI may be used for the Fwd primer and HindIII for the Rev primer.

92| Amplicon digestion. Set up the digestion reaction as follows:

Component Amount (ul) Fast Digest buffer, 10X 3 FastDigest EcoRI 1 FastDigest HindIII 1 Normalized DNA (20 ng/ul) 10 ddH₂O 15 Total volume 30

93| pUC19 backbone digestion. Set up the digestion reaction as follows:

Component Amount (ul) Fast Digest buffer, 10X 3 FastDigest EcoRI 1 FastDigest HindIII 1 FastAP Alkaline Phosphatase 1 pUC19 vector (200 ng/ul) 5 ddH₂O 20 Total volume 30

94| Applicants purified the digestion reactions using the QIAQuick PCR purification kit. Pause point: Purified PCR product may be stored at −20° C.

95| Applicants ligated the digested pUC19 backbone and Sanger amplicons at a 1:3 vector:insert ratio as follows:

Component Amount (ul) Digested pUC19 x (50 ng) Digested insert x (1:3 vector:insert molar ratio) T7 ligase  1 2X Rapid Ligation Buffer 10 ddH₂O x Total volume 20

96| Transformation. Applicants transformed the PlasmidSafe-treated plasmid into a competent E. coli strain, according to the protocol supplied with the cells. Applicants recommend Stbl3 for quick transformation. Briefly, 5 ul of the product from step 95 is added into 20 ul of ice-cold chemically competent Stbl3 cells, incubated on ice for 10 m, heat shocked at 42° C. for 30 s, returned immediately to ice for 2 m, 100 ul of SOC medium is added, and plated onto an LB plate containing 100 ug/ml ampicillin. This is incubated overnight at 37° C.

97| Day 2: Applicants inspected plates for colony growth. Typically, there are no colonies on the negative control plates (ligation of EcoRI-HindIII digested pUC19 only, no Sanger amplicon insert), and tens to hundreds of colonies on the pUC19-Sanger amplicon cloning plates.

98| Day 3: Applicants isolated plasmid DNA from overnight cultures using a QIAprep Spin miniprep kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.

99| Sanger sequencing. Applicants verified the sequence of each colony by sequencing from the pUC19 backbone using the pUC19—For primer. Applicants referenced the sequencing results against the expected genomic DNA sequence to check for the presence of Cas9-induced NHEJ mutations. % editing efficiency=( # modified clones)/( # total clones). It is important to pick a reasonable number of clones (>24) to generate accurate modification efficiencies.

Genotyping for microdeletion. Timing • 2-3 d hands on; 2-3 weeks expansion

100| Cells were transfected as described above with a pair of sgRNAs targeting the region to be deleted.

101| 24 h post-transfection, clonal lines are isolated by FACS or serial dilution as described above.

102| Cells are expanded for 2-3 weeks.

103| Applicants harvested DNA from clonal lines as described above using 10 ul QuickExtract solution and normalized genomic DNA with ddH₂O to a final concentration of 50-100 ng/ul.

104| PCR Amplify the modified region. The PCR reaction is set up as follows:

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 1 1 mM Out Fwd primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM Out Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM Herculase II Fusion polymerase 1 MgCl2 (25 mM) 2 1 mM ddH₂O 32 Total 48 (for each reaction)

Note: if deletion size is more than 1 kb, set up a parallel set of PCR reactions with In-Fwd and In-Rev primers to screen for the presence of the wt allele.

105| To screen for inversions, a PCR reaction is set up as follows:

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 1 1 mM Out Fwd or Out-Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM In Fwd or In-Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM Herculase II Fusion polymerase 1 MgCl₂ (25 mM) 2 1 mM ddH₂O 32 Total 48 (for each reaction)

Note: primers are paired either as Out-Fwd+In Fwd, or Out-Rev+In-Rev.

106| Applicants added 100-200 ng of normalized genomic DNA template from step 103 for each reaction.

107| PCR reaction was performed using the following cycling conditions:

Cycle number Denature Anneal Extend  1 95° C., 2 min 2-31 95° C., 20 s 60° C., 20 s 72° C., 30 s 32 72° C., 3 m

108| Applicants run 2-5 ul of PCR product on a 1-2% gel to check for product. Although these PCR conditions are designed to work with most primers, some primers may need additional optimization by adjusting the template concentration, MgCl2 concentration, and/or the annealing temperature.

Genotyping for targeted modifications via HDR. Timing • 2-3 d, 2-3 h hands on

109| Applicants harvested DNA as described above using QuickExtract solution and normalized genomic DNA with TE to a final concentration of 100-200 ng/ul.

110| PCR Amplify the modified region. The PCR reaction is set up as follows:

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 1 1 mM HDR Fwd primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM HDR Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM Herculase II Fusion polymerase 1 MgCl₂ (25 mM) 2 1 mM ddH₂O 33 Total 49 (for each reaction)

111| Applicants added 100-200 ng of genomic DNA template from step 109 for each reaction and run the following program.

Cycle number Denature Anneal Extend  1 95° C., 2 min 2-31 95° C., 20 s 60° C., 20 s 72° C., 30-60 s per kb 32 72° C., 3 min

112| Applicants ran 5 ul of PCR product on a 0.8-1% gel to check for single-band product. Primers may need additional optimization by adjusting the template concentration, MgCl₂ concentration, and/or the annealing temperature.

113| Applicants purified the PCR reactions using the QIAQuick PCR purification kit.

114| In the HDR example, a HindIII restriction site is inserted into the EMX1 gene. These are detected by a restriction digest of the PCR amplicon:

Component Amount (ul) Purified PCR amplicon (200-300 ng) x F.D. buffer, Green 1 HindIII 0.5 ddH2O x Total 10

i. The DNA is digested for 10 m at 37° C.:

ii. Applicants ran 10 ul of the digested product with loading dye on a 4-20% gradient polyacrylamide TBE gel until the xylene cyanol band had migrated to the bottom of the gel.

iii. Applicants stained the gel with 1×SYBR Gold dye while rocking for 15 m.

iv. The cleavage products are imaged and quantified as described above in the SURVEYOR assay section. HDR efficiency is estimated by the formula: (b+c)/(a+b+c), where a is the integrated intensity for the undigested HDR PCR product, and b and c are the integrated intensities for the HindIII-cut fragments.

115| Alternatively, purified PCR amplicons from step 113 may be cloned and genotyped using Sanger sequencing or NGS.

Deep sequencing and off-target analysis • Timing 1-2 d

The online CRISPR target design tool generates candidate genomic off-target sites for each identified target site. Off-target analysis at these sites can be performed by SURVEYOR nuclease assay, Sanger sequencing, or next-generation deep sequencing. Given the likelihood of low or undetectable modification rates at many of these sites, Applicants recommend deep sequencing with the Illumina Miseq platform for high sensitivity and accuracy. Protocols will vary with sequencing platform; here, Applicants briefly describe a fusion PCR method for attaching sequencing adapters.

116| Design deep sequencing primers. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) primers are designed for shorter amplicons, typically in the 100-200 bp size range. Primers may be manually designed using NCBI Primer-Blast or generated with online CRISPR target design tools (website at genome-engineering.org/tools).

117| Harvest genomic DNA from Cas9-targeted cells. Normalize QuickExtract genomic DNA to 100-200 ng/ul with ddH2O.

118| Initial library preparation PCR. Using the NGS primers from step 116, prepare the initial library preparation PCR

Component: Amount (ul) Final concentration Herculase II PCR buffer, 5X 10 1X dNTP, 100 mM (25 mM each) 1 1 mM NGS Fwd primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM NGS Rev primer (10 uM) 1 0.2 uM Herculase II Fusion polymerase 1 MgCl2 (25 mM) 2 1 mM ddH2O 33 Total 49 (for each reaction)

119| Add 100-200 ng of normalized genomic DNA template for each reaction.

120| Perform PCR reaction using the following cycling conditions, for no more than 20 amplification cycles:

Cycle number Denature Anneal Extend  1 95° C., 2 min 2-21 95° C., 20 s 60° C., 20 s 72° C., 15 s 22 72° C., 3 min

121| Run 2-5 ul of PCR product on a 1% gel to check for single-band product. As with all genomic DNA PCRs, NGS primers may require additional optimization by adjusting the template concentration, MgCl2 concentration, and/or the annealing temperature.

122| Purify the PCR reactions using the QIAQuick PCR purification kit and normalize eluant to 20 ng/ul. Pause point: Purified PCR product may be stored at −20° C.

123| Nextera XT DNA Sample Preparation Kit. Following the manufacturer's protocol, generate Miseq sequencing-ready libraries with unique barcodes for each sample.

124| Analyze sequencing data. Off-target analysis may be performed through read alignment programs such as ClustalW, Geneious, or simple sequence analysis scripts.

Timing

Steps 1-2 Design and synthesis of sgRNA oligos and ssODNs: 1-5 d, variable depending on supplier

Steps 3-5 Construction of CRISPR plasmid or PCR expression cassette: 2 h to 3 d

Steps 6-53 Transfection into cell lines: 3 d (1 h hands-on time)

Steps 54-70 Optional derivation of clonal lines: 1-3 weeks, variable depending on cell type

Steps 71-91 Functional validation of NHEJ via SURVEYOR: 5-6 h

Steps 92-124 Genotyping via Sanger or next-gen deep sequencing: 2-3 d (3-4 h hands on time)

Addressing Situations Concerning Herein Examples

TABLE 15 Situation Solution No amplification of sgRNA Titrate U6-template concentration SURVEYOR or HDR PCR Titrate MgCl₂; normalize and titrate template dirty or no amplification concentration; annealing temp gradient; redesign primers Unequal amplification of Set up separate PCRs to detect wildtype and deletion alleles in microdeletion alleles; Redesign primers with similar sized amplicons PCRs Colonies on negative Increase BbsI; increase Golden Gate reaction cycle control plate number, cut PX330 separately with Antarctic Phosphate treatment No sgRNA sequences or Screen additional colonies wrong sequences Low lipofectamine Check cell health and density; titrate DNA; add GFP transfection efficiency transfection control Low nucleofection Check cell health and density; titrate DNA; suspend to transfection efficiency single cell Clumps or no cells after Filter cells before FACS; dissociate to single cells; FACS resuspend in appropriate density Clumps or no cells in serial Recount cells; dissociate to single cells and filter through dilution strainer; check serial dilution High SURVEYOR Redesign primers to prime from different locations background on negative sample Dirty SURVEYOR result Purify PCR product; reduce input DNA; reduce 42° C. on gel incubation to 30 m No SURVEYOR cleavage Purify and normalize PCR product; re-anneal with TaqB buffer; Redesign sgRNAs; sequence verify Cas9 on px330 backbone Samples do not sink in Supplement with MgCl2 to a final concentration of 15 mM TBE acrylamide gel or add loading buffer containing glycerol

Discussion

CRISPR-Cas may be easily multiplexed to facilitate simultaneous modification of several genes and mediate chromosomal microdeletions at high efficiencies. Applicants used two sgRNAs to demonstrate simultaneous targeting of the human GRIN2B and DYRKIA loci at efficiencies of up to 68% in HEK293FT cells. Likewise, a pair of sgRNAs may be used to mediate microdeletions, such as excision of an exon, which can be genotyped by PCR on a clonal level. Note that the precise location of exon junctions can vary. Applicants also demonstrated the use of ssODNs and targeting vector to mediate HDR with both wildtype and nickase mutant of Cas9 in HEK 293FT and HUES9 cells (FIG. 30). Note that Applicants have not been able to detect HDR in HUES9 cells using the Cas9 nickase, which may be due to low efficiency or a potential difference in repair activities in HUES9 cells. Although these values are typical, there is some variability in the cleavage efficiency of a given sgRNA, and on rare occasions certain sgRNAs may not work for reasons yet unknown. Applicants recommend designing two sgRNAs for each locus, and testing their efficiencies in the intended cell type.

Example 31: NLSs

Cas9 Transcriptional Modulator: Applicants set out to turn the Cas9/gRNA CRISPR system into a generalized DNA binding system in which functions beyond DNA cleavage can be executed. For instance, by fusing functional domain(s) onto a catalytically inactive Cas9 Applicants have imparted novel functions, such as transcriptional activation/repression, methylation/demethylation, or chromatin modifications. To accomplish this goal Applicants made a catalytically inactive Cas9 mutant by changing two residues essential for nuclease activity, D10 and H840, to alanine. By mutating these two residues the nuclease activity of Cas9 is abolished while maintaining the ability to bind target DNA. The functional domains Applicants decided to focus on to test Applicants' hypothesis are the transcriptional activator VP64 and the transcriptional repressors SID and KRAB.

Cas9 Nuclear localization: Applicants hypothesized that the most effective Cas9 transcriptional modulator would be strongly localized to the nucleus where it would have its greatest influence on transcription. Moreover, any residual Cas9 in the cytoplasm could have unwanted effects. Applicants determined that wild-type Cas9 does not localize into the nucleus without including multiple nuclear localization signals (NLSs) (although a CRISPR system need not have one or more NLSs but advantageously has at least one or more NLS(s)). Because multiple NLS sequences were required it was reasoned that it is difficult to get Cas9 into the nucleus and any additional domain that is fused to Cas9 could disrupt the nuclear localization. Therefore, Applicants made four Cas9-VP64-GFP fusion constructs with different NLS sequences (pXRPO2-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-hSpCsn1(10A,840A)-NLS-VP64-EGFP, pXRPO4-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-hSpCsn1(10A,840A)-NLS-VP64-2A-EGFP-NLS, pXRP06-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-EGFP-VP64-NLS-hSpCsn1(10A,840A)-NLS, pXRP08-pLenti2-EF1a-NLS-VP64-NLS-hSpCsn1(10A,840A)-NLS-VP64-EGFP-NLS). These constructs were cloned into a lenti backbone under the expression of the human EF1a promoter. The WPRE element was also added for more robust protein expression. Each construct was transfected into HEK 293FT cells using Lipofectame 2000 and imaged 24 hours post-transfection. The best nuclear localization is obtained when the fusion proteins have NLS sequences on both the N- and C-term of the fusion protein. The highest observed nuclear localization occurred in the construct with four NLS elements.

To more robustly understand the influence of NLS elements on Cas9 Applicants made 16 Cas9-GFP fusions by adding the same alpha importin NLS sequence on either the N- or C-term looking at zero to three tandem repeats. Each construct was transfected into HEK 293FT cells using Lipofectame 2000 and imaged 24 hours post-transfection. Notably, the number of NLS elements does not directly correlate with the extent of nuclear localization. Adding an NLS on the C-term has a greater influence on nuclear localization than adding on the N-term.

Cas9 Transcriptional Activator: Applicants functionally tested the Cas9-VP64 protein by targeting the Sox2 locus and quantifying transcriptional activation by RT-qPCR. Eight DNA target sites were chosen to span the promoter of Sox2. Each construct was transfected into HEK 293FT cells using Lipofectame 2000 and 72 hours post-transfection total RNA was extracted from the cells. 1 ug of RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA (qScript Supermix) in a 40 ul reaction. 2 ul of reaction product was added into a single 20 ul TaqMan assay qPCR reaction. Each experiment was performed in biological and technical triplicates. No RT control and no template control reactions showed no amplification. Constructs that do not show strong nuclear localization, pXRPO2 and pXRPO4, result in no activation. For the construct that did show strong nuclear localization, pXRP08, moderate activation was observed. Statistically significant activation was observed in the case of guide RNAs Sox2.4 and Sox2.5.

Example 32: In Vivo Mouse Data

Material and Reagents

Herculase II fusion polymerase (Agilent Technologies, cat. no. 600679)

10×NEBuffer 4 (NEB, cat. No. B7004S)

BsaI HF (NEB, cat. No. R3535S)

T7 DNA ligase (Enzymatics, cat. no. L602L)

Fast Digest buffer, 10X (ThermoScientific, cat. No. B64)

FastDigest NotI (ThermoScientific, cat. No. FD0594)

FastAP Alkaline Phosphatase (ThermoScientific, cat. No. EF0651)

Lipofectamine2000 (Life Technologies, cat. No. 11668-019)

Trypsin (Life Technologies, cat. No. 15400054)

Forceps #4 (Sigma, cat. No. Z168777-1EA)

Forceps #5 (Sigma, cat. No. F6521-1EA)

10× Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (Sigma, cat. No. H4641-500ML)

Penicillin/Streptomycin solution (Life Technologies, cat. No. P4333)

Neurobasal (Life Technologies, cat. No. 21103049)

B27 Supplement (Life Technologies, cat. No. 17504044)

L-glutamine (Life Technologies, cat. No. 25030081)

Glutamate (Sigma, cat. No. RES5063G-A7)

β-mercaptoethanol (Sigma, cat. No. M6250-100ML)

HA rabbit antibody (Cell Signaling, cat. No. 3724S)

LIVE/DEAD® Cell Imaging Kit (Life Technologies, cat. No. R37601)

30G World Precision Instrument syringe (World Precision Instruments, cat. No. NANOFIL)

Stereotaxic apparatus (Kopf Instruments)

UltraMicroPump3 (World Precision Instruments, cat. No. UMP3-4)

Sucrose (Sigma, cat. No. S7903)

Calcium chloride (Sigma, cat. No. C1016)

Magnesium acetate (Sigma, cat. No. M0631)

Tris-HCl (Sigma, cat. no T5941)

EDTA (Sigma, cat. No. E6758)

NP-40 (Sigma, cat. No. NP40)

Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (Sigma, cat. No. 78830)

Magnesium chloride (Sigma, cat. No. M8266)

Potassium chloride (Sigma, cat. No. P9333)

β-glycerophosphate (Sigma, cat. No. G9422)

Glycerol (Sigma, cat. No. G9012)

Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain (Life technologies, cat. No. S4942)

FACS Aria Flu-act-cell sorter (Koch Institute of MIT, Cambridge US)

DNAeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen, cat. No. 69504)

Procedure

Constructing gRNA Multiplexes for Using In Vivo in the Brain

Applicants designed and PCR amplified single gRNAs targeting mouse TET and DNMT family members (as described herein) Targeting efficiency was assessed in N2a cell line (FIG. 33). To obtain simultaneous modification of several genes in vivo, efficient gRNA was multiplexed in AAV-packaging vector (FIG. 34). To facilitate further analysis of system efficiency applicants added to the system expression cassette consistent of GFP-KASH domain fusion protein under control of human Synapsin I promoter (FIG. 34). This modification allows for further analysis of system efficiency in neuronal population (more detail procedure in section Sorting nuclei and in vivo results).

All 4 parts of the system were PCR amplified using Herculase II Fusion polymerase using following primers:

1st U6 Fw: (SEQ ID NO: 196) gagggtctcgtccttgcggccgcgctagcgagggcctatttcccatgatt c 1st gRNA Rv: (SEQ ID NO: 197) ctcggtctcggtAAAAAAgcaccgactcggtgccactttttcaagttgat aacggactagccttattttaacttgctaTTTCtagctctaaaacNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCAC 2nd U6 Fw: (SEQ ID NO. 198) gagggtctcTTTaccggtgagggcctatttcccatgattcc 2nd gRNA Rv: (SEQ ID NO: 199) ctcggtctcctcAAAAAAgcaccgactcggtgccactttttcaagttgat aacggactagccttattttaacttgctaTTTCtagctctaaaacNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCAC 3rd U6 Fw: (SEQ ID NO: 200) gagggtctcTTTgagctcgagggcctatttcccatgattc 3rd gRNA Rv: (SEQ ID NO: 201) ctcggtctcgcgtAAAAAAgcaccgactcggtgccactttttcaagttga taacggactagccttattttaacttgctaTTTCtagctctaaaacNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCA hSyn_GFP-kash Fw: (SEQ ID NO: 202) gagggtctcTTacgcgtgtgtctagac hSyn_GFP-kash Rv: (SEQ ID NO: 203) ctcggtctcAaggaCAGGGAAGGGAGCAGTGGTTCACGCCTGTAATCCCA GCAATTTGGGAGGCCAAGGTGGGTAGATCACCTGAGATTAGGAGTTGC

(NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN is a reverse compliment targeted genomic sequence)

Applicants used Golden Gate strategy to assemble all parts (1:1 molecular ratio) of the system in a single step reaction:

1^(st) U6_gRNA 18 ng 2^(nd) U6_gRNA 18 ng 3^(rd) U6_gRNA 18 ng Syn_GFP-kash 100 ng 10x NEBuffer 4 1.0 μl 10x BSA 1.0 μl 10 mM ATP 1.0 μl BsaI HF 0.75 μl T7 ligase 0.25 μl ddH₂O 10 μl Cycle number Condition 1-50 37° C. for 5 m, 21° C. for 5 m

Golden Gate reaction product was PCR amplified using Herculase II fusion polymerase and following primers:

Fw (SEQ ID NO: 204) 5′ cctgtccttgcggccgcgctagcgagggcc Rv (SEQ ID NO: 205) 5′ cacgcggccgcaaggacagggaagggagcag

PCR product was cloned into AAV backbone, between ITR sequences using NotI restriction sites:

PCR product digestion:

PCR product digestion: Fast Digest buffer, 10X 3 μl FastDigest NotI 1 μl DNA 1 μg ddH₂O up to 30 μl

-   -   AAV backbone digestion:

Fast Digest buffer, 10X 3 μl FastDigest NotI 1 μl FastAP Alkaline Phosphatase 1 μl AAV backbone 1 μg ddH₂O up to 30 μl

After 20 min incubation in 37° C. samples were purified using QIAQuick PCR purification kit. Standardized samples were ligated at a 1:3 vector:insert ratio as follows:

Digested pUC19 50 ng Digested insert 1:3 vector:insert molar ratio T7 ligase 1 μl 2X Rapid Ligation Buffer 5 μl ddH₂O up to 10 μl

After transformation of bacteria with ligation reaction product, applicants confirmed obtained clones with Sanger sequencing.

Positive DNA clones were tested in N2a cells after co-transfection with Cas9 construct (FIGS. 35 and 36).

Design of New Cas9 Constructs for AAV Delivery

AAV delivery system despite its unique features has packing limitation—to successfully deliver expressing cassette in vivo it has to be in size <then 4.7 kb. To decrease the size of SpCas9 expressing cassette and facilitate delivery applicants tested several alteration: different promoters, shorter polyA signal and finally a smaller version of Cas9 from Staphylococcus aureus (SaCas9) (FIGS. 37 and 38). All tested promoters were previously tested and published to be active in neurons, including mouse Mecp2 (Gray et al., 2011), rat Map1b and truncated rat Map1b (Liu and Fischer, 1996). Alternative synthetic polyA sequence was previously shown to be functional as well (Levitt et al., 1989; Gray et al., 2011). All cloned constructs were expressed in N2a cells after transfection with Lipofectamine 2000, and tested with Western blotting method (FIG. 39).

Testing AAV Multiplex System in Primary Neurons

To confirm functionality of developed system in neurons, Applicants use primary neuronal cultures in vitro. Mouse cortical neurons was prepared according to the protocol published previously by Banker and Goslin (Banker and Goslin, 1988).

Neuronal cells are obtained from embryonic day 16. Embryos are extracted from the euthanized pregnant female and decapitated, and the heads are placed in ice-cold HBSS. The brains are then extracted from the skulls with forceps ( #4 and #5) and transferred to another change of ice-cold HBSS. Further steps are performed with the aid of a stereoscopic microscope in a Petri dish filled with ice-cold HBSS and #5 forceps. The hemispheres are separated from each other and the brainstem and cleared of meninges. The hippocampi are then very carefully dissected and placed in a 15 ml conical tube filled with ice-cold HBSS. Cortices that remain after hippocampal dissection can be used for further cell isolation using an analogous protocol after removing the brain steam residuals and olfactory bulbs. Isolated hippocampi are washed three times with 10 ml ice-cold HBSS and dissociated by 15 min incubation with trypsin in HBSS (4 ml HBSS with the addition of 10 μl 2.5% trypsin per hippocampus) at 37° C. After trypsinization, the hippocampi are very carefully washed three times to remove any traces of trypsin with HBSS preheated to 37° C. and dissociated in warm HBSS. Applicants usually dissociate cells obtained from 10-12 embryos in 1 ml HBSS using 1 ml pipette tips and dilute dissociated cells up to 4 ml. Cells are plated at a density of 250 cells/mm2 and cultured at 37° C. and 5% CO2 for up to 3 week

HBSS

435 ml H2O

50 ml 10× Hank's Balanced Salt Solution

16.5 ml 0.3M HEPES pH 7.3

5 ml penicillin-streptomycin solution

Filter (0.2 μm) and store 4° C.

Neuron Plating Medium (100 ml)

97 ml Neurobasal

2 ml B27 Supplement

1 ml penicillin-streptomycin solution

250 μl glutamine

125 μl glutamate

Neurons are transduced with concentrated AAV1/2 virus or AAV1 virus from filtered medium of HEK293FT cells, between 4-7 days in culture and keep for at least one week in culture after transduction to allow for delivered gene expression.

AAV-Driven Expression of the System

Applicants confirmed expression of SpCas9 and SaCas9 in neuronal cultures after AAV delivery using Western blot method (FIG. 42). One week after transduction neurons were collected in NuPage SDS loading buffer with β-mercaptoethanol to denaturate proteins in 95° C. for 5 min. Samples were separated on SDS PAGE gel and transferred on PVDF membrane for WB protein detection. Cas9 proteins were detected with HA antibody.

Expression of Syn-GFP-kash from gRNA multiplex AAV was confirmed with fluorescent microscopy (FIG. 50).

Toxicity

To assess the toxicity of AAV with CRISPR system Applicants tested overall morphology of neurons one week after virus transduction (FIG. 45). Additionally, Applicants tested potential toxicity of designed system with the LIVE/DEAD® Cell Imaging Kit, which allows to distinguish live and dead cells in culture. It is based on the presence of intracellular esterase activity (as determined by the enzymatic conversion of the non-fluorescent calcein AM to the intensely green fluorescent calcein). On the other hand, the red, cell-impermeant component of the Kit enters cells with damaged membranes only and bind to DNA generating fluorescence in dead cells. Both flourophores can be easily visualized in living cells with fluorescent microscopy. AAV-driven expression of Cas9 proteins and multiplex gRNA constructs in the primary cortical neurons was well tolerated and not toxic (FIGS. 43 and 44), what indicates that designed AAV system is suitable for in vivo tests.

Virus Production

Concentrated virus was produced according to the methods described in McClure et al., 2011. Supernatant virus production occurred in HEK293FT cells.

Brain Surgeries

For viral vector injections 10-15 week old male C57BL/6N mice were anesthetized with a Ketamine/Xylazine cocktail (Ketamine dose of 100 mg/kg and Xylazine dose of 10 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Intraperitonial administration of Buprenex was used as a pre-emptive analgesic (1 mg/kg). Animals were immobilized in a Kopf stereotaxic apparatus using intra-aural positioning studs and tooth bar to maintain an immobile skull. Using a hand-held drill, a hole (1-2 mm) at −3.0 mm posterior to Bregma and 3.5 mm lateral for injection in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was made. Using 30G World Precision Instrument syringe at a depth of 2.5 mm, the solution of AAV viral particles in a total volume of 1 ul was injected. The injection was monitored by a ‘World Precision Instruments UltraMicroPump3’ injection pump at a flow rate of 0.5 ul/min to prevent tissue damage. When the injection was complete, the injection needle was removed slowly, at a rate of 0.5 mm/min. After injection, the skin was sealed with 6-0 Ethilon sutures. Animals were postoperatively hydrated with 1 mL lactated Ringer's (subcutaneous) and housed in a temperature controlled (37° C.) environment until achieving an ambulatory recovery. 3 weeks after surgery animals were euthanized by deep anesthesia followed by tissue removal for nuclei sorting or with 4% paraformaldehyde perfusion for immunochemistry.

Sorting Nuclei and In Vivo Results

Applicants designed a method to specifically genetically tag the gRNA targeted neuronal cell nuclei with GFP for Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) of the labeled cell nuclei and downstream processing of DNA, RNA and nuclear proteins. To that purpose the applicants' multiplex targeting vector was designed to express both a fusion protein between GFP and the mouse nuclear membrane protein domain KASH (Starr D A, 2011, Current biology) and the 3 gRNAs to target specific gene loci of interest (FIG. 34). GFP-KASH was expressed under the control of the human Synapsin promoter to specifically label neurons. The amino acid of the fusion protein GFP-KASH was:

(SEQ ID NO: 206) MVSKGEELFTGVVPILVELDGDVNGHKFSVSGEGEGDATYGKLTLKFICT TGKLPVPWPTLVTTLTYGVQCFSRYPDHMKQHDFFKSAMPEGYVQERTIF FKDDGNYKTRAEVKFEGDTLVNRIELKGIDFKEDGNILGHKLEYNYNSHN VYIMADKQKNGIKVNFKIRHNIEDGSVQLADHYQQNTPIGDGPVLLPDNH YLSTQSALSKDPNEKRDHMVLLEFVTAAGITLGMDELYKSGLRSREEEEE TDSRMPHLDSPGSSQPRRSFLSRVIRAALPLQLLLLLLLLLACLLPASED DYSCTQANNFARSFYPMLRYTNGPPPT

One week after AAV1/2 mediated delivery into the brain a robust expression of GFP-KASH was observed. For FACS and downstream processing of labeled nuclei, the hippocampi were dissected 3 weeks after surgery and processed for cell nuclei purification using a gradient centrifugation step. For that purpose the tissue was homogenized in 320 mM Sucrose, 5 mM CaCl, 3 mM Mg(Ac)2, 10 mM Tris pH 7.8, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1% NP40, 0.1 mM Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), 1 mM P-mercaptoethanol using 2 ml Dounce homogenizer (Sigma) The homogenisate was centrifuged on a 25% to 29% Optiprep® gradient according to the manufacture's protocol for 30 min at 3.500 rpm at 4° C. The nuclear pellet was resuspended in 340 mM Sucrose, 2 mM MgCl2, 25 mM KCl, 65 mM glycerophosphate, 5% glycerol, 0.1 mM PMSF, 1 mM P-mercaptoethanol and Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain (Life technologies) was added to label cell nuclei (offers near-infrared emission for DNA). The labeled and purified nuclei were sorted by FACS using an Aria Flu-act-cell sorter and BDFACS Diva software. The sorted GFP+ and GFP− nuclei were finally used to purify genomic DNA using DNAeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen) for Surveyor assay analysis of the targeted genomic regions. The same approach can be easily used to purify nuclear RNA or protein from targeted cells for downstream processing. Due to the 2-vector system (FIG. 34) the applicants using in this approach efficient Cas9 mediated DNA cleavage was expected to occur only in a small subset of cells in the brain (cells which were co-infected with both the multiplex targeting vector and the Cas9 encoding vector). The method described here enables the applicants to specifically purify DNA, RNA and nuclear proteins from the cell population expressing the 3 gRNAs of interest and therefore are supposed to undergo Cas9 mediated DNA cleavage. By using this method the applicants were able to visualize efficient DNA cleavage in vivo occurring only in a small subset of cells.

Essentially, what Applicants have shown here is targeted in vivo cleavage. Furthermore, Applicants used a multiple approach, with several different sequences targeted at the same time, but independently. Presented system can be applied for studying brain pathologic conditions (gene knock out, e.g. Parkinson disease) and also open a field for further development of genome editing tools in the brain. By replacing nuclease activity with gene transcription regulators or epigenetic regulators it will be possible to answer whole spectrum of scientific question about role of gene regulation and epigenetic changes in the brain in not only in the pathologic conditions but also in physiological process as learning and memory formation. Finally, presented technology can be applied in more complex mammalian system as primates, what allows to overcome current technology limitations.

Example 33: Model Data

Several disease models have been specifically investigated. These include de novo autism risk genes CHD8, KATNAL2, and SCN2A; and the syndromic autism (Angelman Syndrome) gene UBE3A. These genes and resulting autism models are of course preferred, but show that the invention may be applied to any gene and therefore any model is possible.

Applicants have made these cells lines using Cas9 nuclease in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The lines were created by transient transfection of hESCs with Cbh-Cas9-2A-EGFP and pU6-sgRNA. Two sgRNAs are designed for each gene targeting most often the same exons in which patient nonsense (knock-out) mutations have been recently described from whole exome sequencing studies of autistic patients. The Cas9-2A-EGFP and pU6 plasmids were created specifically for this project.

Example 34: AAV Production System or Protocol

An AAV production system or protocol that was developed for, and works particularly well with, high through put screening uses is provided herein, but it has broader applicability in the present invention as well. Manipulating endogenous gene expression presents various challenges, as the rate of expression depends on many factors, including regulatory elements, mRNA processing, and transcript stability. To overcome this challenge, Applicants developed an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based vector for the delivery. AAV has an ssDNA-based genome and is therefore less susceptible to recombination.

AAV1/2 (serotype AAV1/2, i.e., hybrid or mosaic AAV1/AAV2 capsid AAV) heparin purified concentrated virus protocol

Media: D10+HEPES

500 ml bottle DMEM high glucose+Glutamax (GIBCO)

50 ml Hyclone FBS (heat-inactivated) (Thermo Fischer)

5.5 ml HEPES solution (1M, GIBCO)

Cells: low passage HEK293FT (passage <10 at time of virus production, thaw new cells of passage 2-4 for virus production, grow up for 3-5 passages)

Transfection reagent: Polyethylenimine (PEI) “Max”

Dissolve 50 mg PEI “Max” in 50 ml sterile Ultrapure H20

Adjust pH to 7.1

Filter with 0.22 um fliptop filter

Seal tube and wrap with parafilm

Freeze aliquots at −20° C. (for storage, can also be used immediately)

Cell Culture

Culture low passage HEK293FT in D10+HEPES

Passage everyday between 1:2 and 1:2.5

Advantageously do not allow cells to reach more than 85% confluency

For T75

-   -   Warm 10 ml HBSS (—Mg2+, —Ca2+, GIBCO)+1 ml TrypLE Express         (GIBCO) per flask to 37° C. (Waterbath)

Aspirate media fully

-   -   Add 10 ml warm HBSS gently (to wash out media completely)     -   Add Iml TrypLE per Flask     -   Place flask in incubator (37° C.) for 1 min     -   Rock flask to detach cells     -   Add 9 ml D10+HEPES media (37° C.)     -   Pipette up and down 5 times to generate single cell suspension     -   Split at 1:2-1:2.5 (12 ml media for T75) ratio (if cells are         growing more slowly, discard and thaw a new batch, they are not         in optimal growth)     -   transfer to T225 as soon as enough cells are present (for ease         of handling large amounts of cells)

AAV production (5*15 cm dish scale per construct):

Plate 10 million cells in 21.5 ml media into a 15 cm dish

Incubate for 18-22 hours at 37° C.

Transfection is ideal at 80% confluence

Per plate

Prewarm 22 ml media (D10+HEPES)

Prepare tube with DNA mixture (use endofree maxiprep DNA):

5.2 ug vector of interest plasmid

4.35 ug AAV 1 serotype plasmid

4.35 ug AAV 2 serotype plasmid

10.4 ug pDF6 plasmid (adenovirus helper genes) 0 Vortex to mix

Add 434 uL DMEM (no serum!)

Add 130 ul PEI solution

Vortex 5-10 seconds

Add DNA/DMEM/PEI mixture to prewarmed media

Vortex briefly to mix

Replace media in 15 cm dish with DNA/DMEM/PEI mixture

Return to 37° C. incubator

Incubate 48 h before harvesting (make sure medium isn't turning too acidic)

Virus harvest:

1. aspirate media carefully from 15 cm dish dishes (advantageously do not dislodge cells)

2. Add 25 ml RT DPBS (Invitrogen) to each plate and gently remove cells with a cell scraper. Collect suspension in 50 ml tubes.

3. Pellet cells at 800× g for 10 minutes.

4. Discard supernatant

pause point: freeze cell pellet at −80C if desired

5. resuspend pellet in 150 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris pH 8.0, use 10 ml per tissue culture plate.

6. Prepare a fresh solution of 10% sodium deoxycholate in dH2O. Add 1.25 ml of this per tissue culture plate for a final concentration of 0.5%. Add benzonase nuclease to a final concentration of 50 units per ml. Mix tube thoroughly.

7. Incubate at 37° C. for 1 hour (Waterbath).

8. Remove cellular debris by centrifuging at 3000× g for 15 mins. Transfer to fresh 50 ml tube and ensure all cell debris has been removed to prevent blocking of heparin columns.

Heparin Column Purification of AAV1/2:

1. Set up HiTrap heparin columns using a peristaltic pump so that solutions flow through the column at 1 ml per minute. It is important to ensure no air bubbles are introduced into the heparin column.

2. Equilibrate the column with 10 ml 150 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0 using the peristaltic pump.

3. Binding of virus: Apply 50 ml virus solution to column and allow to flow through.

4. Wash step 1: column with 20 ml 100 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0. (using the peristaltic pump)

5. Wash step 2: Using a 3 ml or 5 ml syringe continue to wash the column with 1 ml 200 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0, followed by 1 ml 300 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0.

Discard the flow-through.

(prepare the syringes with different buffers during the 50 min flow through of virus solution above)

6. Elution Using 5 ml syringes and gentle pressure (flow rate of <lml/min) elute the virus from the column by applying:

1.5 ml 400 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0

3.0 ml 450 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0

1.5 ml 500 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, pH 8.0

Collect these in a 15 ml centrifuge tube.

Concentration of AAV1/2:

1. Concentration step 1: Concentrate the eluted virus using Amicon ultra 15 ml centrifugal filter units with a 100,000 molecular weight cutoff. Load column eluate into the concentrator and centrifuge at 2000× g for 2 minutes (at room temperature. Check concentrated volume—it should be approximately 500 μl. If necessary, centrifuge in 1 min intervals until correct volume is reached.

2. buffer exchange: Add lml sterile DPBS to filter unit, centrifuge in 1 min intervals until correct volume (500 ul) is reached.

3. Concentration step 2: Add 500 ul concentrate to an Amicon Ultra 0.5 ml 100K filter unit. Centrifuge at 6000 g for 2 min. Check concentrated volume—it should be approximately 100 μl. If necessary, centrifuge in 1 min intervals until correct volume is reached.

4. Recovery: Invert filter insert and insert into fresh collection tube. Centrifuge at 1000 g for 2 min.

Aliquot and freeze at −80° C.

1 ul is typically required per injection site, small aliquots (e.g. 5 ul) are therefore recommended (avoid freeze-thaw of virus).

determine DNaseI-resistant GC particle titer using qPCR (see separate protocol)

Materials

Amicon Ultra, 0.5 ml, 100K; MILLIPORE; UFC510024

Amicon Ultra, 15 ml, 100K; MILLIPORE; UFC910024

Benzonase nuclease; Sigma-Aldrich, E1014

HiTrap Heparin cartridge; Sigma-Aldrich; 54836

Sodium deoxycholate; Sigma-Aldrich; D5670

AAV1 supernatant production protocol

Media: D10+HEPES

500 ml bottle DMEM high glucose+Glutamax (Invitrogen)

50 ml Hyclone FBS (heat-inactivated) (Thermo Fischer)

5.5 ml HEPES solution (1M, GIBCO)

Cells: low passage HEK293FT (passage <10 at time of virus production)

Thaw new cells of passage 2-4 for virus production, grow up for 2-5 passages

Transfection reagent: Polyethylenimine (PEI) “Max”

Dissolve 50 mg PEI “Max” in 50 ml sterile Ultrapure H20

Adjust pH to 7.1

Filter with 0.22 um fliptop filter

Seal tube and wrap with parafilm

Freeze aliquots at −20° C. (for storage, can also be used immediately)

Cell Culture

Culture low passage HEK293FT in D10+HEPES Passage everyday between 1:2 and 1:2.5

Advantageously do let cells reach more than 85% confluency

For T75

-   -   Warm 10 ml HBSS (—Mg2+, —Ca2+, GIBCO)+1 ml TrypLE Express         (GIBCO) per flask to 37° C. (Waterbath)     -   Aspirate media fully     -   Add 10 ml warm HBSS gently (to wash out media completely)     -   Add Iml TrypLE per Flask     -   Place flask in incubator (37° C.) for 1 min     -   Rock flask to detach cells     -   Add 9 ml D10+HEPES media (37° C.)     -   Pipette up and down 5 times to generate single cell suspension     -   Split at 1:2-1:2.5 (12 ml media for T75) ratio (if cells are         growing more slowly, discard and thaw a new batch, they are not         in optimal growth)     -   transfer to T225 as soon as enough cells are present (for ease         of handling large amounts of cells)

AAV production (single 15 cm dish scale)

Plate 10 million cells in 21.5 ml media into a 15 cm dish

Incubate for 18-22 hours at 37° C.

Transfection is ideal at 80% confluence per plate

Prewarm 22 ml media (D10+HEPES)

Prepare tube with DNA mixture (use endofree maxiprep DNA):

5.2 ug vector of interest plasmid

8.7 ug AAV 1 serotype plasmid

10.4 ug DF6 plasmid (adenovirus helper genes)

Vortex to mix

Add 434 uL DMEM (no serum!) Add 130 ul PEI solution

Vortex 5-10 seconds

Add DNA/DMEM/PEI mixture to prewarmed media

Vortex briefly to mix

Replace media in 15 cm dish with DNA/DMEM/PEI mixture

Return to 37° C. incubator

Incubate 48 h before harvesting (advantageously monitor to ensure medium is not turning too acidic)

Virus Harvest:

Remove supernatant from 15 cm dish

Filter with 0.45 um filter (low protein binding) Aliquot and freeze at −80° C.

Transduction (primary neuron cultures in 24-well format, 5 DIV)

Replace complete neurobasal media in each well of neurons to be transduced with fresh neurobasal (usually 400 ul out of 500 ul per well is replaced)

Thaw AAV supernatant in 37° C. waterbath

Let equilibrate in incubator for 30 min

Add 250 ul AAV supernatant to each well

Incubate 24 h at 37° C.

Remove media/supernatant and replace with fresh complete neurobasal

Expression starts to be visible after 48 h, saturates around 6-7 Days Post Infection

Constructs for pAAV plasmid with GOI should not exceed 4.8 kb including both ITRS.

Example of a human codon optimized sequence (i.e. being optimized for expression in humans) sequence: SaCas9 is provided below: (SEQ ID NO: 207)

ACCGGTGCCACCATGTACCCATACGATGTTCCAGATTACGCTTCGCCGAA GAAAAAGCGCAAGGTCGAAGCGTCCATGAAAAGGAACTACATTCTGGGGC TGGACATCGGGATTACAAGCGTGGGGTATGGGATTATTGACTATGAAACA AGGGACGTGATCGACGCAGGCGTCAGACTGTTCAAGGAGGCCAACGTGGA AAACAATGAGGGACGGAGAAGCAAGAGGGGAGCCAGGCGCCTGAAACGAC GGAGAAGGCACAGAATCCAGAGGGTGAAGAAACTGCTGTTCGATTACAAC CTGCTGACCGACCATTCTGAGCTGAGTGGAATTAATCCTTATGAAGCCAG GGTGAAAGGCCTGAGTCAGAAGCTGTCAGAGGAAGAGTTTTCCGCAGCTC TGCTGCACCTGGCTAAGCGCCGAGGAGTGCATAACGTCAATGAGGTGGAA GAGGACACCGGCAACGAGCTGTCTACAAAGGAACAGATCTCACGCAATAG CAAAGCTCTGGAAGAGAAGTATGTCGCAGAGCTGCAGCTGGAACGGCTGA AGAAAGATGGCGAGGTGAGAGGGTCAATTAATAGGTTCAAGACAAGCGAC TACGTCAAAGAAGCCAAGCAGCTGCTGAAAGTGCAGAAGGCTTACCACCA GCTGGATCAGAGCTTCATCGATACTTATATCGACCTGCTGGAGACTCGGA GAACCTACTATGAGGGACCAGGAGAAGGGAGCCCCTTCGGATGGAAAGAC ATCAAGGAATGGTACGAGATGCTGATGGGACATTGCACCTATTTTCCAGA AGAGCTGAGAAGCGTCAAGTACGCTTATAACGCAGATCTGTACAACGCCC TGAATGACCTGAACAACCTGGTCATCACCAGGGATGAAAACGAGAAACTG GAATACTATGAGAAGTTCCAGATCATCGAAAACGTGTTTAAGCAGAAGAA AAAGCCTACACTGAAACAGATTGCTAAGGAGATCCTGGTCAACGAAGAGG ACATCAAGGGCTACCGGGTGACAAGCACTGGAAAACCAGAGTTCACCAAT CTGAAAGTGTATCACGATATTAAGGACATCACAGCACGGAAAGAAATCAT TGAGAACGCCGAACTGCTGGATCAGATTGCTAAGATCCTGACTATCTACC AGAGCTCCGAGGACATCCAGGAAGAGCTGACTAACCTGAACAGCGAGCTG ACCCAGGAAGAGATCGAACAGATTAGTAATCTGAAGGGGTACACCGGAAC ACACAACCTGTCCCTGAAAGCTATCAATCTGATTCTGGATGAGCTGTGGC ATACAAACGACAATCAGATTGCAATCTTTAACCGGCTGAAGCTGGTCCCA AAAAAGGTGGACCTGAGTCAGCAGAAAGAGATCCCAACCACACTGGTGGA CGATTTCATTCTGTCACCCGTGGTCAAGCGGAGCTTCATCCAGAGCATCA AAGTGATCAACGCCATCATCAAGAAGTACGGCCTGCCCAATGATATCATT ATCGAGCTGGCTAGGGAGAAGAACAGCAAGGACGCACAGAAGATGATCAA TGAGATGCAGAAACGAAACCGGCAGACCAATGAACGCATTGAAGAGATTA TCCGAACTACCGGGAAAGAGAACGCAAAGTACCTGATTGAAAAAATCAAG CTGCACGATATGCAGGAGGGAAAGTGTCTGTATTCTCTGGAGGCCATCCC CCTGGAGGACCTGCTGAACAATCCATTCAACTACGAGGTCGATCATATTA TCCCCAGAAGCGTGTCCTTCGACAATTCCTTTAACAACAAGGTGCTGGTC AAGCAGGAAGAGAACTCTAAAAAGGGCAATAGGACTCCTTTCCAGTACCT GTCTAGTTCAGATTCCAAGATCTCTTACGAAACCTTTAAAAAGCACATTC TGAATCTGGCCAAAGGAAAGGGCCGCATCAGCAAGACCAAAAAGGAGTAC CTGCTGGAAGAGCGGGACATCAACAGATTCTCCGTCCAGAAGGATTTTAT TAACCGGAATCTGGTGGACACAAGATACGCTACTCGCGGCCTGATGAATC TGCTGCGATCCTATTTCCGGGTGAACAATCTGGATGTGAAAGTCAAGTCC ATCAACGGCGGGTTCACATCTTTTCTGAGGCGCAAATGGAAGTTTAAAAA GGAGCGCAACAAAGGGTACAAGCACCATGCCGAAGATGCTCTGATTATCG CAAATGCCGACTTCATCTTTAAGGAGTGGAAAAAGCTGGACAAAGCCAAG AAAGTGATGGAGAACCAGATGTTCGAAGAGAAGCAGGCCGAATCTATGCC CGAAATCGAGACAGAACAGGAGTACAAGGAGATTTTCATCACTCCTCACC AGATCAAGCATATCAAGGATTTCAAGGACTACAAGTACTCTCACCGGGTG GATAAAAAGCCCAACAGAGAGCTGATCAATGACACCCTGTATAGTACAAG AAAAGACGATAAGGGGAATACCCTGATTGTGAACAATCTGAACGGACTGT ACGACAAAGATAATGACAAGCTGAAAAAGCTGATCAACAAAAGTCCCGAG AAGCTGCTGATGTACCACCATGATCCTCAGACATATCAGAAACTGAAGCT GATTATGGAGCAGTACGGCGACGAGAAGAACCCACTGTATAAGTACTATG AAGAGACTGGGAACTACCTGACCAAGTATAGCAAAAAGGATAATGGCCCC GTGATCAAGAAGATCAAGTACTATGGGAACAAGCTGAATGCCCATCTGGA CATCACAGACGATTACCCTAACAGTCGCAACAAGGTGGTCAAGCTGTCAC TGAAGCCATACAGATTCGATGTCTATCTGGACAACGGCGTGTATAAATTT GTGACTGTCAAGAATCTGGATGTCATCAAAAAGGAGAACTACTATGAAGT GAATAGCAAGTGCTACGAAGAGGCTAAAAAGCTGAAAAAGATTAGCAACC AGGCAGAGTTCATCGCCTCCTTTTACAACAACGACCTGATTAAGATCAAT GGCGAACTGTATAGGGTCATCGGGGTGAACAATGATCTGCTGAACCGCAT TGAAGTGAATATGATTGACATCACTTACCGAGAGTATCTGGAAAACATGA ATGATAAGCGCCCCCCTCGAATTATCAAAACAATTGCCTCTAAGACTCAG AGTATCAAAAAGTACTCAACCGACATTCTGGGAAACCTGTATGAGGTGAA GAGCAAAAAGCACCCTCAGATTATCAAAAAGGGCTAAGAATTC

Example 35: Minimizing Off-Target Cleavage Using Cas9 Nickase and Two Guide RNAs

Cas9 is a RNA-guided DNA nuclease that may be targeted to specific locations in the genome with the help of a 20 bp RNA guide. However the guide sequence may tolerate some mismatches between the guide sequence and the DNA-target sequence. The flexibility is undesirable due to the potential for off-target cleavage, when the guide RNA targets Cas9 to a an off-target sequence that has a few bases different from the guide sequence. For all experimental applications (gene targeting, crop engineering, therapeutic applications, etc) it is important to be able to improve the specificity of Cas9 mediated gene targeting and reduce the likelihood of off-target modification by Cas9.

Applicants developed a method of using a Cas9 nickase mutant in combination with two guide RNAs to facilitate targeted double strand breaks in the genome without off-target modifications. The Cas9 nickase mutant may be generated from a Cas9 nuclease by disabling its cleavage activity so that instead of both strands of the DNA duplex being cleaved only one strand is cleaved. The Cas9 nickase may be generated by inducing mutations in one ore more domains of the Cas9 nuclease, e.g. Ruvc1 or HNH. These mutations may include but are not limited to mutations in a Cas9 catalytic domain, e.g in SpCas9 these mutations may be at positions D10 or H840. These mutations may include but are not limited to D10A, E762A, H840A, N854A, N863A or D986A in SpCas9 but nickases may be generated by inducing mutations at corresponding positions in other CRISPR enzymes or Cas9 orthologs. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the Cas9 nickase mutant is a SpCas9 nickase with a D10A mutation.

The way this works is that each guide RNA in combination with Cas9 nickase would induce the targeted single strand break of a duplex DNA target. Since each guide RNA nicks one strand, the net result is a double strand break. The reason this method eliminates off-target mutations is because it is very unlikely to have an off-target site that has high degrees of similarity for both guide sequences (20 bp+2 bp(PAM)=22 bp specificity for each guide, and two guides means any off-target site will have to have close to 44 bp of homologous sequence). Although it is still likely that individual guides may have off-targets, but those off-targets will only be nicked, which is unlikely to be repaired by the mutagenic NHEJ process. Therefore the multiplexing of DNA double strand nicking provides a powerful way of introducing targeted DNA double strand breaks without off-target mutagenic effects.

Applicants carried out experiments involving the co-transfection of HEK293FT cells with a plasmid encoding Cas9(D10A) nickase as well as DNA expression cassettes for one or more guides. Applicants transfected cells using Lipofectamine 2000, and transfected cells were harvested 48 or 72 hours after transfections. Double nicking-induced NHEJ were detected using the SURVEYOR nuclease assay as described previously herein (FIGS. 51, 52 and 53).

Applicants have further identified parameters that relate to efficient cleavage by the Cas9 nickase mutant when combined with two guide RNAs and these parameters include but are not limited to the length of the 5′ overhang. Efficient cleavage is reported for 5′ overhang of at least 26 base pairs. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the 5′ overhang is at least 30 base pairs and more preferably at least 34 base pairs. Overhangs of up to 200 base pairs may be acceptable for cleavage, while 5′ overhangs less than 100 base pairs are preferred and 5′ overhangs less than 50 base pairs are most preferred (FIGS. 54 and 55).

Example 36: In Vivo Interrogation of Gene Function in the Mammalian Brain Using Cas9

The ability to precisely manipulate in vivo the genome of neurons in the brain enables rapid dissection of gene function in normal and disease-related brain processes. Applicants show AAV-mediated delivery of the microbial endonuclease Cas9 and single guide RNA into specific cell-types in the adult mouse brain facilitated single and multiplex gene knockouts. Within two weeks, Cas9-mediated knockout of the methyl CpG binding protein (MeCP2) induced morphological changes in targeted neurons, and multiplex knockout of the DNA methyltransferase protein family (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b) altered mouse behavior in contextual fear conditioning. Together, Applicants' results demonstrate the potential of Cas9 to facilitate rapid reverse genetic studies of gene function in the brain and provide an attractive alternative to the use of time-consuming transgenic animal models.

Transgenic animal models carrying disease-associated mutations are enormously useful for the study of neuropsychiatric diseases, helping to elucidate the genetic and pathophysiological mechanism of disease. However, although some neuropsychiatric disorders are known to be associated with single gene defects, the majority of cognitive and psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, autism and depression, are associated with multiple genetic variations. Generation of animal models that simultaneously carry multiple genetic modifications is particularly labor intensive and requires time-consuming breeding over many generations. The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 from S. pyogenes (SpCas9) has been shown to mediate precise and efficient genome cleavage of single and multiple genes in replicating eukaryotic cells. The Cas9 nuclease can be instructed to cleave specific genomic loci to induce targeted double-strand breaks, which results in frame shifting insertion/deletion (indel) mutations (FIG. 59A). Applicants sought to explore the possibility of using Cas9 to study the function of individual or groups of genes in brain processes as well as to model mono- and multi-genic disorders in vivo.

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) are commonly used to deliver recombinant genes into the mouse brain. Applicants designed a dual-vector AAV-based Cas9 and sgRNA delivery system (FIG. 56A). The main limitation of the AAV system is the packaging size of the transgene cassette (˜4.5 kb without the ITRs). The size of the SpCas9 is ˜4.2 kb, which leaves less than 0.3 kb for other genetic elements necessary for efficient and cell-type specific gene expression. Applicants identified that a truncated version of the mouse Mecp2 promoter (235 bp, sMecp2) and a short polyadenylation signal (48 bp, spA) are sufficient to drive robust expression of Cas9 in cultured mouse cortical neurons (FIG. 56B; FIG. 59B-D). To drive expression of sgRNA in neurons, Applicants used a second sgRNA-encoding vector. Additionally, Applicants combined the sgRNA delivery with simultaneous fluorescent labeling of the targeted cell nuclei. The fusion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the KASH nuclear transmembrane domain directs GFP to the outer nuclear membrane, and enables easy visualization of AAV transduced cells (FIG. 56B).

Applicants first tested the delivery efficacy of this dual-vector Cas9 delivery system in vitro using primary mouse cortical neurons and observed greater than 80% co-transduction efficiency (FIG. 56C). Importantly, expression of Cas9 did not adversely affect the morphology and survival rate of transduced neurons (FIG. 59D,E). To test Cas9-mediated genome editing in mouse primary neurons Applicants targeted the Mecp2 gene, which plays a principal role in Rett syndrome. MeCP2 deficiency has been shown to be associated with dendritic tree abnormalities and spine morphogenesis defects in neurons, and both morphological phenotypes are believed to contribute to the neurological symptoms observed in patients with Rett syndrome.

To achieve efficient targeting of Mecp2, Applicants first generated several sgRNAs to target multiple sites within exon 3 of the mouse Mecp2 locus (Fig. S2A,B) and selected the most efficient sgRNA based on SURVEYOR™ nuclease assay results from Neuro-2a cells (FIG. 56D, FIG. 60). To assess the editing efficiency of Applicants' dual-vector system in neurons in vitro, Applicants transduced primary mouse cortical neurons at day 7 in vitro (7 DIV) and measured indel rate using the SURVEYOR™ nuclease assay 7 days post transduction (FIG. 56E). Of note, neurons culture co-transduced with Cas9 and sgRNA showed around 80% reduction in MeCP2 protein levels compared to neurons transduced with Cas9 alone (FIG. 56F;

FIG. 61). Moreover, Cas9 and sgRNA co-transduced neurons also exhibited altered dendritic tree morphology (FIG. 56G-I) and spine density (FIG. 69J,K) when compared with Cas9-only neuronal population.

Applicants next asked whether Cas9 could mediate stable genomic modifications in a specified subset of cells in the brain of living mice. To specifically analyze the AAV-transduced cells, Applicants developed a method to purify GFP-KASH labeled nuclei using fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) (FIG. 57A, FIG. 62). Similar to primary neurons in culture, Applicants co-delivered a mixture (1:1 ratio) of high titer AAV1/2 carrying Cas9 and Mecp2-targeting sgRNA into the dentate gyrus of adult mice (FIG. 57B). Applicants observed high co-transduction efficiency of both vectors in hippocampal granule cells at 4 weeks after viral delivery (FIG. 57C). To test the efficiency of genome modification at the Mecp2 locus in vivo, Applicants purified the GFP-KASH labeled nuclei and detected up to 34% indel frequency in the sorted nuclei population (FIG. 57D). Cas9-mediated cutting of the Mecp2 locus efficiently decreased MeCP2 protein levels (FIG. 57E-G), and reduced spine density in the targeted neuron population (FIG. 57H,I), similar to effects observed in MeCP2 knockout mice. These results demonstrate the versatility of Cas9 for facilitating targeted gene knockout in the mammalian brain in vivo.

One key advantage of the Cas9 system is its ability to facilitate multiplex genome editing. Introducing stable knockouts of multiple genes in the brain of living animals will have potentially far-reaching applications, such as causal interrogation of multigenic mechanisms in physiological and neuropathological conditions. To test the possibility of multiplex genome editing in the brain Applicants designed a multiplex sgRNA expression vector consisting of three sgRNAs in tandem, along with GFP-KASH for nuclei labeling (FIG. 58A). Applicants chose sgRNAs targeting the DNA methyltransferases family of genes (DNMTs), which consists of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. Dnmt1 and 3a which are expressed in the adult brain whereas Dnmt3b is expressed mainly during neurodevelopment. It was previously shown that DNMT activity alters DNA methylation in the brain and Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 are required for synaptic plasticity and learning and memory formation. Applicants selected individual sgRNAs with high modification efficiency and optimized combinations of guides for high simultaneous DNA cleavage for all three targeted genes (FIG. 58B; FIG. 63).

To test the efficacy of multiplex genome editing in vivo, Applicants stereotactically delivered a mixture of high titer Cas9- and sgRNA-expressing AAVs into the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus of adult mice. After 4 weeks, hippocampi were dissected and targeted cell nuclei were sorted via FACS. Using deep sequencing, Applicants observed high levels of indel formation at all three targeted loci, ranging from ˜20-70% (FIG. 58C, FIG. 64). Dnmt3a and Dnmt1, which are both highly expressed in the adult brain, show significantly decreased protein levels in dentate gyrus tissue dissected ˜12 weeks after virus delivery (FIG. 58D). Due to the low expression of Dnmt3b in the adult brain, Applicants were not able to detect Dnmt3b protein in this analysis.

Previous work with Cas9 has shown that genomic loci that partially match the sgRNA can result in off-target indel formations. Indel analysis of the top predicted off-target loci revealed a 0-1.6% rate of indel formations demonstrating that Cas9 modification is highly specific (Table 16). The observed low rate of off-targeting is likely due to relatively weak levels of Cas9 expression resulting from the sMecp2 promoter and short polyA signal.

TABLE 16 Off-target analysis for DNMTs targeting (SEQ Potential ID gene GI off-target sequences MLE (%) SEM NO:__) Dnmt1 Abca1 NM_013454 GGAGCTGGAGCTGTTCACGTT 0.0000 0.00 208 GG Mctp1 NM_030174 CGGGCAGCGACTGTTCGCGTA 0.0806 0.08 209 GG Exd2 NM_133798 AGGGCTTGAGATGTTCGGGCT 0.0612 0.06 210 GG Pik3r6 NM_001004435 CCGGCTGGGGCTGTCCTCGCTA 0.0000 0.00 211 G Sobp NM_175407 CGGGGTGCAGCTGCTCACGCC 0.0000 0.00 212 AG Vac14 NM_146216 CTGGCGGGAGCTGGTCGCGTG 0.0083 0.00 213 AG Dnmt3a Efemp2 NM_021474 TGAGCATGGGCCGCTGGCGGT 0.0050 0.01 214 GG Bmpr1b NM_001277217 ATGGCATAGGCCGCTGACAGA 0.0117 0.01 215 GG Syce1 NM-001143765 TTGGCATGGTGAGCTGGCGGG 0.0067 0.00 216 GG Atp8b3 NM_026094 TGGGCAGGGGTCTCTGAGGGC 0.0067 0.01 217 AG Rdh11 NM_021557 TTGGCATGGGTCTCTTACCAA 0.0017 0.00 218 GG Dnmt3b Hecw2 NM-001001883 ACATGGTTCCAGTGGGTATGT 0.0000 0.00 219 AG Plekhg3 NM_153804 GGAGGTGGGCAGCGGGTATGT 0.0954 0.01 220 AG Cdc25b NM_001111075 AGAAGGTCCCCGCGGGCATGG 0.2421 0.12 221 AG Top1mt NM_028404 GGAGGGAACCAGCCGGTATGG 0.0167 0.01 222 GG Sesn2 NM_144907 AGAGAGTGGCAGTGGGTAAGC 0.0000 0.00 223 AG Ncan NM_007789 AGAGGTGGCCAGCGGGCAGGA 0.0017 0.00 224 AG Nacad NM_001081652 TGAGGGGGCCAGCTGGGATGC 1.6254 0.76 225 AG

Previous studies have suggested that knockdown of Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 may impact hippocampus-dependent memory formation. Consequently, Applicants performed contextual fear-conditioning behavior tests to investigate the effect of Cas9-mediated triple knockout (Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b) on the acquisition and consolidation of memory formation. While Applicants did not observe any differences between control and triple knockout mice in the memory acquisition phase, knockout mice showed impaired memory consolidation when tested under trained context conditions (FIG. 58E, F). This effect was abolished when mice were tested in the altered context, demonstrating that contextual learning is impaired in Applicants' mouse model. Applicants results demonstrate that CRIPSR-Cas9-mediated knockout of DNMT family members in dentate gyrus neurons is sufficient to probe the function of genes in behavioral tasks.

Together, Applicants results demonstrate that in vivo delivery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system represents a precise, flexible and highly efficient technology for generating disease models and manipulating mouse behavior by multiplex genome editing. The in vivo application of the Cas9 system shown here will have broad applications in basic science, as well as in biotechnology and medicine.

DNA constructs: For Cas9 targets selection and generation of single guide RNA (sgRNA), the 20-nt target sequences were selected to precede a 5′-NGG PAM sequence. To minimize off-targeting effects, the CRIPSR design tool was used (available at the website tools.genome-engineering.org). sgRNA was PCR amplified using U6 promoter as a template with forward primer: 5′-CGCACGCGTAATTCGAACGCTGACGTCATC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 227) and reverse primer containing the sgRNA with 20-nt DNA target site (Bold):

(SEQ ID NO: 228) 5′-CACACGCGTAAAAAAGCACCGACTCGGTGCCACTTTTTCAAGTTGAT AACGGACTAGCCTTATTTTAACTTGCTATTTCTAGCTCTAAAAC

GGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCAC-3′. (SEQ ID NO: 228). EGFP-KASH construct was used as PCR template for cloning the coding cassette into AAV backbone under the human Synapsin promoter (hSyn). Next, U6-Mecp2_sgRNA coding sequence was introduced using MluI site. For the multiplex gene targeting strategy, individual sgRNAs were PCR amplified as described above. All three sgRNAs were ligated with PCR amplified hSyn-GFP-KASH-bGHpA cassette (see FIG. 58A) by using the Golden Gate cloning strategy. After PCR amplification, the Golden Gate ligation product containing 3 sgRNAs and hSyn-GFP-KASH-bGH pA was cloned into AAV backbone. All obtained constructs were sequenced verified. In order to find the optimal promoter sequence to drive Cas9 expression in neurons Applicants tested: hSyn1, mouse truncated Mecp2 (sMecp2), and truncated rat Map1b (rMap1b) promoter sequences (see FIG. 59B). Following primers were used to amplify promoter regions: hSyn_F: 5′-GTGTCTAGACTGCAGAGGGCCCTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 229); hSyn_R: 5′-GTGTCGTGCCTGAGAGCGCAGTCGAGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 230); mMecp2_F 5′-GAGAAGCTTAGCTGAATGGGGTCCGCCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 231); mMecp2_R 5′-CTCACCGGTGCGCGCAACCGATGCCGGGACC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 232); rMap1b-283/-58_F 5′-GAGAAGCTTGGCGAAATGATTTGCTGCAGATG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 233); rMap1b-283/-58_R 5′-CTCACCGGTGCGCGCGTCGCCTCCCCCTCCGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 234). Another truncation of rat maplb promoter was assembled with the following oligos: 5′-AGCTTCGCGCCGGGAGGAGGGGGGACGCAGTGGGCGGAGCGGAGACAGCACCTTC GGAGATAATCCTTTCTCCTGCCGCAGAGCAGAGGAGCGGCGGGAGAGGAACACTTC TCCCAGGCTTTAGCAGAGCCGGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 235) and 5′-CCGGTCCGGCTCTGCTAAAGCCTGGGAGAAGTGTTCCTCTCCCGCCGCTCCTCTGCT CTGCGGCAGGAGAAAGGATTATCTCCGAAGGTGCTGTCTCCGCTCCGCCCACTGCGT CCCCCCTCCTCCCGGCGCGA-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 236). Short synthetic polyadenylation signal (spA) (3) was assembled using following oligos: 5′-AATTCAATAAAAGATCTTTATITTCATTAGATCTGTGTGTTGGTTTTTTG TGTGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 237) and 5′-GGCCGCACACAA AAAACCAACACACAGATCTAATGAAAATAAAGATCTTTATTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 238). Plasmid encoding red fluorescent protein (mCherry) under control of EF1α promoter was used for neuron transfection with Lipofectamine® 2000 (Life Technologies).

Cell line cultures and transfection. Neuro-2a (N2a) cells were grown in DMEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum (BSA). For HEK293FT cells DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was used. Cells were maintained at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine® 2000 or Polyethylenimine (PEI) “MAX” reagent (Polysciences), according to manufacturer's protocols.

Production of concentrated AAV vectors: High titer AAV1/2 particles were produced using AAV1 and AAV2 serotype plasmids at equal ratios and pDF6 helper plasmid and purified on heparin affinity column. Titering of viral particles was done by qPCR. High titer AAV1 particles were produced by the UNC Vector Core Services (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Low titer AAV1 particles in DMEM were produced as described previously in S. Konermann et al., Optical control of mammalian endogenous transcription and epigenetic states. Nature 500, 472 (Aug. 22, 2013). Briefly, HEK293FT cells were transfected with transgene plasmid, pAAV1 serotype plasmid and pDF6 helper plasmid using PEI “MAX”. Culture medium was collected after 48 h and filtered through a 0.45 μm PVDF filter (Millipore).

Primary cortical neuron culture: Animals used to obtain neurons for tissue cultures were sacrificed according to the protocol approved by the MIT Committee on Animal Care (MIT CAC). Primary cultures were prepared from embryonic day 16 mouse brains as described in G. Banker, K. Goslin, Developments in neuronal cell culture. Nature 336, 185 (Nov. 10, 1988). Embryos of either sex were used. Cells were plated on poly-D-lysine (PDL) coated 24-well plates (BD Biosciences) or laminin/PDL coated coverslips (VWR). Cultures were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in Neurobasal medium, supplemented with B27, Glutamax (Life Technologies) and penicillin/streptomycin mix.

For AAV transduction, cortical neurons in 500 μl Neurobasal culture medium were incubated at 7 DIV with 300 μl (double infection at 1:1 ratio) AAV1-containing conditioned medium from HEK293FT cells. One week after transduction, neurons were harvested for downstream processing or fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescent stainings or morphology analysis.

For visualization of neuronal morphology cells at DIV7 were transfected with EF1α-mCherry expression vector using Lipofectamine® 2000 (Life Technologies) for one week as previously described in L. Swiech et al., CLIP-170 and IQGAP1 cooperatively regulate dendrite morphology. The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 31, 4555 (Mar. 23, 2011). For measurement of total dendrite length, all dendrites of individual neurons were traced using ImageJ software. Quantification of the number of primary dendrites, dendritic tips and the Sholl analysis were performed on images acquired with fluorescent microscope at a 40× objective (Zeiss AxioCam Ax10 microscope, Axiocam MRm camera). For dendrites number, ends of all non-axonal protrusions longer than 10 μm were counted. For Sholl analysis, concentric circles with 5 μm step in diameter were automatically drawn around the cell body, and the number of dendrites crossing each circle was counted using ImageJ software with a Sholl plug-in.

Stereotactic injection of AAV1/2 into the mouse brain: The MIT CAC approved all animal procedures described here. Adult (12-16 weeks old) male C57BL/6N mice were anaesthetized by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 mg/kg Ketamine and 10 mg/kg Xylazine. Pre-emptive analgesia was given (Buprenex, 1 mg/kg, i.p.). Craniotomy was performed according to approved procedures and 1 μl of 1:1 AAV mixture (1×10¹³ Vg/ml of sMecp2-SpCas9; 6×10² Vg/ml of DNMT 3×sgRNA; 3-5×10² Vg/ml (hSyn-GFP-KASH) was injected into: dorsal dentate gyrus (anterior/posterior: −1.7; mediolateral: 0.6; dorsal/ventral: −2.15) and/or ventral dentate gyrus (anterior/posterior: −3.52; mediolateral: 2.65; dorsal/ventral: −3). The incision was sutured and proper post-operative analgesics (Meloxicam, 1-2 mg/kg) were administered for three days following surgery.

Purification of cell nuclei from brain tissue: Total hippocampus or dentate gyrus was quickly dissected in ice cold DPBS (Life Sciences) and shock frozen on dry ice. Tissue was gently homogenized in 2 ml ice-cold homogenization buffer (HB) (320 mM Sucrose, 5 mM CaCl, 3 mM Mg(Ac)₂, 10 mM Tris pH7.8, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1% NP40, 0.1 mM PMSF, 1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol) using 2 ml Dounce homogenizer (Sigma); 25 times with pestle A, followed by 25 times with pestle B. Next, 3 ml of HB was added up to 5 ml total and kept on ice for 5 min. For gradient centrifugation, 5 ml of 50% OptiPrep™ density gradient medium (Sigma) containing 5 mM CaCl, 3 mM Mg(Ac)₂, 10 mM Tris pH 7.8, 0.1 mM PMSF, 1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol was added and mixed. The lysate was gently loaded on the top of 10 ml 29% iso-osmolar OptiPrep™ solution in a conical 30 ml centrifuge tube (Beckman Coulter, SW28 rotor). Samples were centrifuged at 10,100×g (7,500 rpm) for 30 min at 4° C. The supernatant was removed and the nuclei pellet was gently resuspended in 65 mM beta-glycerophosphate (pH 7.0), 2 mM MgCl2, 25 mM KCl, 340 mM sucrose and 5% glycerol. Number and quality of purified nuclei was controlled using bright field microscopy.

Cell nuclei sorting: Purified GFP-positive (GFP⁺) and negative (GFP⁻) intact nuclei were co-labeled with Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain (1:500, Life Technologies) and sorted using BD FACSAria III (Koch Institute Flow Cytometry Core, MIT). GFP⁺ and GFP⁻ nuclei were collected in 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes coated with 1% BSA and containing 400 μl of resuspension buffer (65 mM beta-glycerophosphate pH 7.0, 2 mM MgCl2, 25 mM KCl, 340 mM sucrose and 5% glycerol). After sorting, all samples were kept on ice and centrifuged at 10,000 xg for 20 min at 4° C. Nuclei pellets were stored at −80° C. or were directly used for downstream processing.

Genomic DNA extraction and SURVEYOR™ assay: For functional testing of sgRNA, 50-70% confluent N2a cells were co-transfected with a single PCR amplified sgRNA and Cas9 vector. Cells transfected with Cas9 only served as negative control. Cells were harvested 48 h after transfection, and DNA was extracted using DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's protocol. To isolate genomic DNA from AAV1 transduced primary neurons, DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit was used 7 days post AAV transduction, according to the manufacturer's instruction.

Sorted nuclei or dissected tissues were lysed in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 10 mM NaCl, 10 mM EDTA, 0.5 mM SDS, Proteinase K (PK, lmg/ml) and RNAse A) at 55° C. for 30 min. Next, chloroform-phenol extraction was performed followed by DNA precipitation with ethanol, according to standard procedures. DNA was finally resuspended in TE Buffer (10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA) and used for downstream analysis. Functional testing of individual sgRNAs was performed by SURVEYOR™ nuclease assay (Transgenomics) using PCR primers listed in Table 17. Band intensity quantification was performed as described before in F. A. Ran et al., Genome engineering using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. Nature protocols 8, 2281 (November, 2013).

TABLE 17 PCR primers used in the SURVEYOR™ assay (SEQ (SEQ Forward primer ID Reverse primer ID Target sequence (5′-3′) NO:__) sequence (5′-3′) NO:__) Mecp2 GGTCTCATGTGTGGCAC 239 TGTCCAACCTTCAGGCAAG 243 TCA G Dnmt3a ATCCCTCCTCAGAGGGTC 240 TACCTCATGCACAGCTAGC 244 AGC ACC Dnmt1 TTCGGGCATAGCATGGT 241 GTTCTATTTCAGAGGGCTG 245 CTTCC ATCCC Dnmt3b GTTCTGAGCCGCACAGTT 242 GGATAAGAAGGGACAATA 246 TGG CAGG

Immunofluorescent Staining:

Cell culture: For immunofluorescent staining of primary neurons, cells were fixed 7 days after viral delivery with 4% paraformaldehyd (PFA) for 20 min at RT. After washing 3 times with PBS, cells were blocked with 5% normal goat serum (NGS) (Life Technologies), 5% donkey serum (DS) (Sigma) and 0.1% Triton-X100 (Sigma) in PBS for 30 min at RT. Cells were incubated with primary antibodies in 2.5% NGS, 2.5% DS and 0.1% Triton-X100 for 1 hour at RT or overnight at 4° C. After washing 3 times with PBST, cells were incubated with secondary antibodies for 1 hour at RT. Finally, coverslips were mounted using VECTASHIELD HardSet Mounting Medium with DAPI (Vector Laboratories) and imaged using an Zeiss AxioCam Ax10 microscope and an Axiocam MRm camera. Images were processed using the Zen 2012 software (Zeiss). Quantifications were performed by using ImageJ software 1.48 h and Neuron detector plugin.

Mice were sacrified 4-8 weeks after viral delivery by a lethal dose of Ketamine/Xylazine and transcardially perfused with PBS followed by PFA. Fixed tissue was sectioned using vibratome (Leica, VT1000S). Next, 30 μm sections were boiled for 2 min in sodium citrate buffer (10 mM tri-sodium citrate dehydrate, 0.05% Tween20, pH 6.0) and cooled down at RT for 20 min. Sections were blocked with 4% normal goat serum (NGS) in TBST (137 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris pH 7.6, 0.2% Tween-20) for 1 hour. Paraffin sections were cut using a microtom (Leica RM2125 RTS) to 8 sm, and stained as described previously in A. V. Tzingounis et al., The KCNQ5 potassium channel mediates a component of the afterhyperpolarization current in mouse hippocampus. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107, 10232 (Jun. 1, 2010).

Sections were incubated with primary antibodies diluted in TBST with 4% NGS overnight at 4° C. After 3 washes in TBST, samples were incubated with secondary antibodies. After washing with TBST 3 times, sections were mounted using VECTASHIELD HardSet Mounting Medium with DAPI and visualized with confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 710, Ax10 ImagerZ2, Zen 2012 Software).

Following primary antibodies were used: rabbit anti-Dnmt3a (Santa Cruz, 1:100); rabbit anti-MeCP2 (Millipore, 1:200); mouse anti-NeuN (Millipore, 1:50-1:400); chicken anti-GFAP (Abcam, 1:400); mouse anti-Map2 (Sigma, 1:500); chicken anti-GFP (Aves labs, 1:200-1:400); mouse anti-HA (Cell Signaling, 1:100). Secondary antibodies: AlexaFluor®488, 568 or 633 (Life Technologies, 1:500-1:1,000).

Golgi-Cox staining: Golgi-Cox staining was performed using the FD Rapid GolgiStain kit (FD NeuroTechnologies). Adult male mice 1-4 weeks after injection with CRISPR-Cas9 targeting Mecp2 locus were sacrified by cervical dislocation according to the MIT CAC protocol. Immediately after dissection, brains were processed according to the manufacturer's protocol. Morphology of the cells was analyzed on 100 μm thick cryo-sections of dentate gyrus using light microscope under 100× objective lens (Zeiss Axioplan 2 with motorized fine focus control, OcraER digital camera). Spine density was manually counted using MetaMorph4 software.

Quantification of LIVE/DEAD® assay: Control and transduced primary neurons were stained using the LIVE/DEAD® assay (Life technologies) according to the manufacturer's instruction. To avoid interference with the GFP-signal from GFP-KASH expression, cells were stained for DEAD (ethidium homodimer) and DAPI (all cells) only. Stained cells were imaged using fluorescence microscopy and DEAD, GFP and DAPI positive cells were counted by using ImageJ 1.48 h software and Neuron detector plugin.

Western blot analysis: Transduced primary cortical neurons (7 days after viral delivery) and transduced tissue samples (4 weeks after viral delivery) were lysed in 50 μL of ice-cold RIPA buffer (Cell Signaling) containing 0.1% SDS and proteases inhibitors (Roche, Sigma). Cell lysates were sonicated for 5 min in a Bioruptor sonicater (Diagenode) and protein concentration was determined using the BCA Protein Assay Kit (Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.). Protein lysats were dissolved in SDS-PAGE sample buffer, separated under reducing conditions on 4-15% Tris-HCl gels (Bio-Rad) and analyzed by Western blotting using primary antibodies: rabbit anti-Dnmt3a (Santa Cruz, 1:500), mouse anti-Dnmt1 (Novus Biologicals, 1:800), rabbit anti-Mecp2 (Millipore, 1:400), rabbit anti-Tubulin (Cell Signaling, 1:10,000) followed by secondary anti-mouse and anti-rabbbit HRP antibodies (Sigma-Aldrich, 1:10,000). GAPDH was directly visualized with rabbit HRP coupled anti-GAPDH antibody (Cell Signaling, 1:10,000). Tubulin or GAPDH served as loading control. Blots were imaged with ChemiDoc™ MP system with ImageLab 4.1 software (BioRad), and quantified using ImageJ software 1.48 h.

Delay Contextual Fear Conditioning (DCFC): 8 weeks after bilateral Cas9/DNMT 3×sgRNA delivery into the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus of 12 weeks old C57BL/6N male mice, animals were habituated to the experimentor and the behavior room for 7 days. Cas9/GFP-KASH injected littermates served as controls. At day 1 of DCFC, mouse cages were placed into an islolated anterroom to prevent mice from auditory cues before and after testing. Individual mice were placed into the FC chamber (Med Associates Inc.) and a 12 min habituation period was performed. After habituation the mice were placed back to their homecages. The next day (training day) individual mice were placed into the chamber and were allowed to habituate for 4 min. After another 20 sec (pre-tone) interval, the tone (auditory cue) at a level of 85 dB, 2.8 kHz was presented for 20 sec follwed by 18 sec delay interval before the foot-shock was presented (0.5 mA, 2 sec). After the foot-shock, 40 sec interval (post-tone/shock) preceded a next identical trial starting with the 20 sec pre-tone period. The training trial was repeated 6 times before the mice were placed back to their homecages. At day 3 (testing day), mice were first placed in the conditioning context chamber for 3 min. Next, mice underwent 4×100 sec testing trials starting with a 20 sec interval followed by 20 sec tone and a 60 sec post-tone interval. Finally, mice were placed in an altered context-conditioning chamber (flat floor vs. grid, tetrameric vs. heptameric chamber, vanillin scent) and the testing trial was repeated. Freezing behavior was recorded and analyzed off-line manually and confirmed with Noldus EthoVision XT software (Noldus Information Technology).

Deep sequencing analysis and indel detection: CRISPR Design Tool (available at the website crispr.mit.edu/) was used to find potential off-targets for DNMT family genes, targeted by CRISPR-Cas9 in the brain. Targeted cell nuclei from dentate gyrus were FACS sorted 12 weeks after viral delivery and genomic DNA was purified as described above. For each gene of interest, the genomic region flanking the CRISPR target site was amplified by a fusion PCR method to attach the Illumina P5 adapters as well as unique sample-specific barcodes to the target amplicons (for on- and off-target primers see Table 18). Barcoded and purified DNA samples were quantified by Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer (Life Technologies) and pooled in an equimolar ratio. Sequencing libraries were then sequenced with the Illumina MiSeq Personal Sequencer (Life Technologies), with read length 300 bp.

TABLE 18 Primers used for on- and off-target genomic loci amplification (SEQ (SEQ Forward primer sequence ID Reverse primer ID Locus (5′-3′) NO:__) sequence (5′-3′) NO:__) Dnmt1 GCCGGGGTCTCGTTCAGAGC 247 CTACCGCCTGCAGGGC TGGT 268 T Dnmt3a CCTGTCTCTCTGTCCTAGGG 248 CCGTTTGCTGATGTAGTAGGGGT 269 CTCC CC Dnmt3b CCCACAGGGAACAATGAAG 249 CATCCTTCGTGTCTGAGGGCTGG 270 GGAGAC TC Abca1 CCCTGACACCAGCTGTTCAG 250 CTCTGGGTGACCACACACGATGG 271 CAC Mctp1 GAGCAGGCAGAGCCGAGCA 251 GGGGAGCGTCCGCCAGGGG 272 AG Exd2 GGGTCTTGTTGTGAGTAGG 252 GAAGCTCTCTTAACTACTGTTC 273 GTGTG Pik3r6 CCTGGGATACTATTTCCACG 253 CAGGCCCTAGCAGCGAGCAG 274 CCG Sobp GCAGCACACTCCACCCTCAC 254 GGAAGGGGCTTTCCTCCGAGC 275 AT Vac14 CGGCGTCACGTGACCTGAGT 255 6CTCCGACCCTGCTCTCCCA 276 AAC Efemp2 GTGTCTGCCTCGCTCTGCTG 256 CCTGTTCATCAGGCTCGTAGCCC 277 C Bmpr1b CTATCTGAAATCCACCACCT 257 CGATTGCTGGCTTGCCTTGAG 278 TAGACGC Syce1 GCCTGAGGGGGCCAGAGGT 258 GGTTCGCGTCCGCCCGCGTGAT 279 Atp8b3 GGGGCTCCCCGGGTGGTG 259 GAGAGGTGGTCCTGTCGCCTATG 280 Rdh11 GACCCTGTGTTTCAAGTCTC 260 CCCAGCAGGTCACAGCTGACATC 281 TCTG Hecw2 GGCCATCCAGTACATTCAAT 261 AGCACAGTATGTATTCTATAAAA 282 ACG TAATACGAC Plekhg3 GCAGAAGCCGTGACTCACA 262 GTGGGGGGGGGCAGAGACCATG 283 GCA Cdc25b CTTGTGCTTGTGATTCTGTC 263 CCTTACCTGTTCCTCTTCCTTATC 284 CTTACTGC CAGC Top1mt CGAGAAGTCGATGCAGACA 264 ATACCCAGTCCACATCCCTGCC 285 CTTCAA Sesn2 GCTGAAGACTGGCGAGCAC 265 CCTCTGCATCTCCCTCAGGGAGT 286 AGCT ATT Ncan GACCTGAATGTTGTGGCTG 266 GCCTCCTGTCCCCAGGTCCC 287 AGAGTCC Nacad CCCTCACGTTCCTGTCCAGC 267 CACTAGGCTTGGGCTGCCCTCT 288 AA

The MiSeq reads were analyzed as described previously in. Briefly, reads were filtered by Phred quality (Q score) and aligned using a Smith-Waterman algorithm to the genomic region 50 nucleotides upstream and downstream of the target site. Indels were estimated in the aligned region from 5 nucleotides upstream to 5 nucleotides downstream of the target site (a total of 30 bp). Negative controls for each sample were used to estimate the inclusion or exclusion of indels as putative cutting events. Applicants computed a maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE) for the fraction of reads having target-regions with true-indels, using the per-target-region-per-read error rate from the data of the negative control sample. The MLE scores and cutting rates for each target are listed in Table 16.

Statistical analysis: All experiments were performed with a minimum of two independent biological replicates. Statistics were performed with Prism6 (GraphPad) using Student's two tailed 1-test.

For further characterization of CRISPR in the brain Applicants test toxicity effects using TUNEL staining for apoptotic cells and standard histology (e.g. hematoxylin staining). To test efficiency of modification of multiple loci in more detailed way, Applicants then sort GFP-positive single cells and analyze modification efficiency per cell using next-gene sequencing.

Applicants characterize effects of Mecp2 knockdown in the brain with physiological phenotype of targeted cells in the cortex using in vivo patch clamp under two-photon microscopy. To understand effects of Mecp2 knock-down in the adult brain Applicants analyze transcriptome of targeted cells in vivo. Interesting candidate genes will be selected for follow up studies.

To effectively purify/visualize cells targeted with both component of the system (Cas9 and sgRNA) Applicants construct a split version of Cas9 combined with split version of GFP, which reconstitutes only when both AAV are in the same cell. Finally Applicants perform experiments as decribed herein to achieve homologous recombination in postmitotic neurons in vitro and in vivo.

Example 37: ApoB Genotypic and Phenotypic Change Seen In Vivo with Guides and SaCas9 Delivered Intravenously to the Liver Using an AAV Vector and a Liver-Specific Cas9promoter

In this example, inter alia:

-   -   AAV2/8 is a Liver-targeting adenoviral vector;     -   TBG is a liver-specific promoter and is used here to drive         expression of SaCas9;     -   U6 is used here to drive expression of the sgRNA (guide);     -   ApoB is a lipid metabolism gene. It can be said to be the         “gold-standard” in liver delivery, and is widely used in mouse         models of obesity     -   “Target1 through Target 4” means that 4 targets within ApoB were         chosen, of which Targets 1 and three (T1 and T3) were the most         useful;     -   Delivery through expression from a viral vector as seen here is         an improvement over Anderson/Yin's (NBT 2884) use of         hydrodynamic delivery as the delivery method, because         hydrodynamic delivery requires several mls of fluid to be         injected which is stressful on the murine body and can be fatal.         Hydrodynamic delivery is well suited for delivery of plasmid         (naked) DNA, whereas Applicants have shown that packaging the         guide and Cas9 sequences within a viral delivery vector is         preferable in terms of greatly increased efficiency. Indeed,         only relatively small volumes need to be introduced, and this         can be done intravenously (i.v.), which is likely to be much         more acceptable therapeutically.     -   What was particularly encouraging was that not only was a         genotypic change seen in a “gold-standard” gene for liver such         as ApoB, but phenotvDic changes were also recorded. Previous         work with PCSK9 had shown genotypic, but not phenotypic changes,         so the phenotypic changes seen with ApoB validate the         plausibility of CRISPR delivery to, and its ability to effect         phenotypic change in, the Liver. This is in combination with the         more therapeutically acceptable means of delivery (i.v. compared         to hydrodynamic delivery). As such, viral delivery of CRISPR         (guide and Cas9) is preferred, especially intravenously).     -   Targets include: PCSK9, HMGCR, APOB, LDLR, ANGPTL3, F8, F9/FIX,         AAT, FAH, HPD, TAT, ATP7B, UGTIA1, OTC, ARH

Material and Methods

Viruses and Injection Parameters

Constructs Used:

-   -   AAV2/8—TBG-SaCas9-U6-sgRNA (Apob-Target1 through Target 4)—

In vitro testing: all induced cleavage of Apob locus at 10/6-15% efficiency in Hepa cells.

In Vivo Results:

Mouse—8 weeks, C57BL/6 (2 animals each time point and with 1 animal as saline-injected wild type control)

Tail Vein Injection:

Injection Volume: 100 ul of 0.8E12 vp/ml (vp=viral particle)

Viral particle delivered: 0.8E11 total vp/animal

Tissue Processing and Data Collection

Tissue processing and data collection occurred as follows:

First time point ˜1 wk (8 days). Second time point ˜4 wks.

Saline perfusion followed by acute dissection of liver tissue.

(A) Half liver put into −80C storage for Surveyor & qPCR & Western Blot protein analysis (X12 tubes/animal).

(B) Half liver put into Cryoprotectant and flash-freeze for cryostat processing. Cryosections were subjected to H&E and Oil Red staining.

QuickExtract and Surveyor assays were used to detect and quantify indels from 2 pieces of liver per animal.

Results

In Vivo Indel Assessment

The figures show in vivo indel assessment for the ApoB guide (targets) over time (up to 4 weeks post-injection). FIG. 56 A shows that guide (target) 1 induced the highest percentage of indels in ApoB. Targets 2 and 4 showed little of no effect, in eh sense that they resulted in only none or very poor indel formation, whilst Target 3 showed some activity. FIG. 56 B shows the results of a Surveyor nuclease gel assay for indel formation efficiency, 4 weeks post-injection.

Target 1 can be seen to have almost 9% indel formation, representing acceptable levels of target locus

Phenotype Change Shown with 2 of the 4 Guides Designed to Target

Phenotypic changes were seen with two of the three guides used (targets 1 and 3), as seen in FIG. 66, which shows oil red staining to detect hepatic lipid accumulation phenotype in vivo following AAV-Cas9-sgRNA delivery. The red patches of oil shown accumulating in the FIG. 66 on the left, targets 1 and 3, show that ApoB has been disrupted and are compared to the control, bottom right. Apob gene has been disrupted as a result of Cas9-induced targeted genomic cleavage, giving rise to this physiological/phenotypic change Target 2 showed no noticeable difference over the control and target 4 is not shown. This oil red 0 staining is an assay where the fats in liver are visualized through histological staining. This stain is used frequently in research to assess the amount of fats in liver. In clinical practice, the Oil Red O stain is mainly ordered on frozen sections of liver biopsy specimens to assess the amount of fat in the liver during liver transplantation and other procedures. For a protocol and information on this aspect of the Examples, mention is made of: Mehlem et al, “Imaging of neutral lipids by oil red O for analyzing the metabolic status in health and disease,” Nature Protocols 8, 1149-1154(2013); Maczuga et al., “Therapeutic expression of hairpins targeting apolipoprotein B100 induces phenotypic and transcriptome changes in murine liver,” Gene Therapy (2014) 21, 60-70; Koornneef et al, “Apolipoprotein B Knockdown by AAV-delivered shRNA Lowers Plasma Cholesterol in Mice,” Molecular Therapy (2011) 19 4, 731-740; Tadin-Strapps et al., “siRNA-induced liver ApoB knockdown lowers serum LDL-cholesterol in a mouse model with human-like serum lipids,” Journal of Lipid Research Volume 52, 1084-1097 (2011). The scale bar in FIG. 66 represents 20 microns.

Example 38: SaCas9 Optimization Experiments

The following were investigated:

Guide Length Optimization

Intron Test

H1 promoter

D10A Double-nickase Test

Additional Length/DN Test

SaCas9 Guide Length Test: To determine sgRNA guide lengths: 20 vs. 21 vs. 22 bp as well the effect of a ‘G’ at the start (5′ end) of the guide. In this experiment

Target sites:

A1: AAVS1 E1: EMX1

T1, T2, . . . : Numbering of target sites TGC, GTC, . . . : Base composition at position 23, 22, 21 nts from 5′-end of PAM

The experiment of this Example is performed by: 1. Select targets using NNGRR as PAM within two gene of interest, AAVS1 and EMX1. 2. Synthesizing oligos corresponding to the targets, but vary the length of the guide sequence part within the sgRNA from 20, to 21, to 22. 3. Use the oligos to create sgRNA expression cassette and co-transfect into HEK 293FT cell line with plasmids expressing the SaCas9 protein. 4. 72 hours post transfection, cells were harvested and then analyzed by Surveyor assay to detect indels. 5. Indel formation frequency induced by Cas9 were then calculated and summarized in the figures herewith.

FIG. 67 shows that 21 nts/base pairs (bp), represented by the grey bars is the optimal spacer length, at least compared to 20 or 22 base pairs (represented by the black and the white bars, respectively) across a range of targets and within two different genes (AAVS1 and EMX1). The targets and genes are not thought be important, merely representative. As such, it appears that 21nts or base pairs is optimal for good length, especially in or as to SaCas9. FIG. 67 also shows that a G nt at the 5′ end of the guide/target sequence is may be advantageous, e.g., for the U6 promoter. The optimal guide length may be specific to each Cas9 protein. For example, for SpCas9, the optimal guide length might be 19-20nt. Hence, this example demonstrates how one can determine and use optimal guide length.

Intron Test

This experiment set out to test whether a guide sequence could be inserted into the Cas9 intronic sequence.

The following construct was used. Note the presence of the guide RNA (sgRNA) within the intron (between the Cas9 N‘ and C’ terminal exons).

CMV-SaCas9(N-term)-Intron(sgRNA)-SaCas9(C-term)

The construct was expressed in Hepa cells.

Each intron was tested with 2 different guides: Pcsk9 and Hmgcr sgRNA.

A total of 9 constructs shown: three EBV1 three EBV2 and three ADV:

-   -   Lanes 1-3: show EBV1-152 (EBV based, 152 bp intron 1 from EBV         genome)     -   Lanes 4-6: show EBV2 (EBV based, intron from the W repeat of EBV         genome)     -   Lanes 7-9: show ADV (Adenoviral based intron, similar origin as         Kiani et al., “CRISPR transcriptional repression devices and         layered circuits in mammalian cells,” Nature Methods         doi:10.1038/nmeth.2969 Published online 5 May 2014 and Nissim et         al, “Multiplexed and Programmable Regulation of Gene Networks         with an Integrated RNA and CRISPR/Cas Toolkit in Human Cells,”         Volume 54, Issue 4, p698-710, 22 May 2014; DOI: dx.doi.org/10.         1016/j.nolcel.2014.04 022).

Within each group of design, the three constructs corresponding to three different insertion site of sgRNA within the intron.

ADV-Design 3

The results are shown in FIG. 68. These results provide proof of principle of successful packaging of a guide sequence into a SaCas9 intron is certainly possible. The sgRNA bearing the guide sequence is inserted within a synthetic intron derived from Adenovirus, and then this entire intron-sgRNA cassette is inserted into the SaCas9 gene. Introns can be inserted anywhere within the SaCas9 gene without significantly disrupting the normal expression of the SaCas9 protein. Multiple introns with sgRNAs can be inserted into different positions within the SaCas9 gene Positioning is flexible and this broad approach is advantageous including in the following two ways:

Size minimisation allows for the total number of bp or nts in the construct to be reduced.

Multiplexing allows for greater degrees of multiplexing (co-delivery of multiple guides) as ‘space’ is always an issue here too. As guides don't necessarily need a specific promoter, one or more guides can similarly be packaged into a/the Cas9 intron.

The foregoing text uses ‘a/the’ because the as discussed above, a number of synthetic introns can be introduced into Cas9. It may be advantageous to insert the sgRNA into a position close but at least 5-15 bp to the 5′ end of the intron and also before the branch point of the intron. Some of the intron spacer sequence between the 5′ splice donor site and the branch point in the middle of the intron may be deleted if the skilled person wishes to so do. That this was achieved in a Cas9, especially SaCas9 may be surprising, including because the sgRNA structure is different between Sa and Sp.

For now, ADV are preferred, but this approach has broad applicability across a range of viruses and Cas9s (Sa, Sp, etc).

H1 Promoter Tests

This experiment set out to investigate alternative promoters to the U6 promoter.

A) Full-Length H1

The following constructs were made:

CMV-SaCas9 with original H1 promoter driving one sgRNA (either Pcsk9-Target201 or Hmgcr-NewTarget5)

As can be seen in FIG. 69, the full-length H1 promoter (grey bar) is still weaker than U6 promoter (black bar), as the U6 shows increased indel percentage formation for each target tested.

B) Double H1 Promoter Test (Short H1)

The following constructs were made:

TBG-SaCas9 with two short H1 promoters driving two sgRNAs (Pcsk9-Target201 and Hmgcr-NewTarget5) simultaneously with the Double short H1 promoter used in the same orientation and in opposite orientations.

As can be seen in FIG. 70, short H1 promoter is weaker than the full-length H1.

SaCas9 Nickase Test (Using the D10A Mutant)

This experiment looked at the distance between the 5′ ends of two guide sequences in a construct and then measured this in relation to the cleavage efficiency of the D10A SaCAs9 double nickase. The targets were for the Human AAT1 gene. These tests were done with 20 bp+G guides cloned into plasmids.

Optimal results were shown between −5 and +1 bp (5′ to 5′), see FIG. 71.

Example 39: In Vivo Interrogation of Gene Function in the Mammalian Brain Using CRISPR-Cas9

This work presents the following main points:

-   -   First demonstration of successful AAV-mediated Cas9 delivery in         vivo as well as efficient genome modification in post-mitotic         neurons;     -   Development of a nuclear tagging technique which enables easy         isolation of neuronal nuclei from Cas9 and sgRNA-expressing         cells;     -   Demonstration of application toward RNAseq analysis of neuronal         transcriptome;     -   Integration of electrophysiological studies with Cas9-mediated         genome perturbation; and     -   And demonstration of multiplex targeting and the ability to         study gene function on rodent behavior using Cas9-mediated         genome editing.

Transgenic animal models carrying disease-associated mutations are enormously useful for the study of neurological disorders, helping to elucidate the genetic and pathophysiological mechanism of disease¹. However, generation of animal models that carry single or multiple genetic modifications is particularly labor intensive and requires time-consuming breeding over many generations. Therefore, to facilitate the rapid dissection of gene function in normal and disease-related brain processes Applicants need ability to precisely and efficiently manipulate the genome of neurons in vivo. The CRISPR-associated endonuclease Cas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes (SpCas9) has been shown to mediate precise and efficient genome cleavage of single and multiple genes in replicating eukaryotic cells, resulting in frame shifting insertion/deletion (indel) mutations^(2, 3). Here, Applicants integrate Cas9-mediated genome perturbation with biochemical, sequencing, electrophysiological, and behavioral readouts to study the function of individual as wells as groups of genes in neural processes and their roles in brain disorders in vivo.

Discussion

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are commonly used to deliver recombinant genes into the mouse brain⁴. The main limitation of the AAV system is its small packaging size, capped at approximately 4.5 kb without ITRs⁵, which limits the amount of genetic material that can be packaged into a single vector. Since the size of the SpCas9⁶ is already 4.2 kb, leaving less than 0.3 kb for other genetic elements within a single AAV vector, Applicants designed a dual-vector system that packages SpCas9 (AAV-SpCas9) and sgRNA expression cassettes (AAV-SpGuide) on two separate viral vectors (FIG. 72). While designing the AAV-SpCas9 vector, Applicants compared various short neuron-specific promoters as well as poly adenylation signals to optimize SpCas9 expression. For Applicants' final design Applicants chose the mouse Mecp2 promoter (235 bp, pMecp2)⁷ and a minimal polyadenylation signal (48 bp, spA)⁸ based on their ability to achieve sufficient levels of SpCas9 expression in cultured primary mouse cortical neurons (FIG. 76-c). To facilitate immunofluorescence identification of SpCas9-expressing neurons, Applicants tagged SpCas9 with a HA-epitope tag. For the AAV-SpGuide vector, Applicants packaged an U6-sgRNA expression cassette as well as the green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fused with the KASH nuclear trans-membrane domain⁹ driven by the human Synapsin I promoter (FIG. 72a ). The GFP-KASH fusion protein directs GFP to the outer nuclear membrane (FIG. 76c,d ) and enables fluorescence-based identification and purification of intact neuronal nuclei transduced by AAV-SpGuide.

To test the delivery efficacy of Applicants' dual-vector delivery system, Applicants first transduced cultured primary mouse cortical neurons in vitro and observed robust expression by AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide (FIG. 76c ), with greater than 80% co-transduction efficiency (FIG. 76e ). Importantly, compared with un-transduced neurons, expression of SpCas9 did not adversely affect the morphology and survival rate of transduced neurons (FIG. 76c,f ).

Having established an efficient delivery system, Applicants next sought to test SpCas9-mediated genome editing in mouse primary neurons. Whereas SpCas9 has been used to achieve efficient genome modifications in a variety of dividing cell types, it is unclear whether SpCas9 can be used to efficiently achieve genome editing in post-mitotic neurons. For Applicants' initial test Applicants targeted the Mecp2 gene, which plays a principal role in Rett syndrome¹⁰, a type of autism spectrum disorder. MeCP2 protein is ubiquitously expressed in neurons throughout the brain but nearly absent in glial cells^(11, 12) and its deficiency has been shown to be associated with severe morphological and electrophysiological phenotypes in neurons, and both are believed to contribute to the neurological symptoms observed in patients with Rett syndrome¹³⁻¹⁶. To target Mecp2, Applicants first designed several sgRNAs targeting exon 3 of the mouse Mecp2 gene (FIG. 77a ) and evaluated their efficacy using Neuro-2a cells. The most efficient sgRNA was identified using the SURVEYOR nuclease assay (FIG. 77b ). Applicants chose the most effective sgRNA (Mecp2 target 5) for subsequent in vitro and in vivo Mecp2 targeting experiments.

To assess the editing efficiency of Applicants' dual-vector system in neurons, Applicants transduced primary mouse cortical neurons at 7 days in vitro (7 DIV, FIG. 78a ) and measured indel rate using the SURVEYOR nuclease assay 7 days post transduction (FIG. 78b ). Of note, neuron culture co-transduced with AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide targeting Mecp2 showed up to 80% reduction in MeCP2 protein levels compared to control neurons (FIG. 78c,d ). One possible explanation for the observed discrepancy between relatively low indel frequency (˜14%) and robust protein depletion (˜80%) could be that mere binding by SpCas9 at the target site may interfere with transcription, which has been shown in E. coli ^(17, 18). Applicants investigated this possibility using a mutant of SpCas9 with both RuvC and HNH catalytic domains inactivated^(19, 20) (D10A and H840A, dSpCas9). Co-expression of dSpCas9 and Mecp2-targeting sgRNA did not reduce MeCP2 protein levels (FIG. 78a,d ), suggesting that the observed decrease of MeCP2 level in presence of active SpCas9 is due to occurrence of modification in the Mecp2 locus. Another possible explanation for the discrepancy between the low level of detected indel and high level of protein depletion may be due to underestimation of the true indel rate by the SURVEYOR nuclease assay—the detection accuracy of SURVEYOR has been previously shown to be sensitive to the indel sequence composition²¹

MeCP2 loss-of-function has been previously shown to be associated with dendritic tree abnormalities and spine morphogenesis defects in neurons^(14, 16). These phenotypes of MeCP2 deprivation have also been reproduced in neurons differentiated from MeCP-KO iPS cells¹⁵. Therefore, Applicants investigated whether SpCas9-mediated MeCP2-depletion in neurons can similarly recapitulate morphological phenotypes of Rett syndrome. Indeed, neurons co-expressing SpCas9 and Mecp2-targeting sgRNA exhibited altered dendritic tree morphology and spine density when compared with control neurons (FIG. 79). These results demonstrate that SpCas9 can be used to facilitate the study of gene functions in cellular assays by enabling targeted knockout in post-mitotic neurons.

Given the complexity of the nervous system, which consists of intricate networks of heterogeneous cell types, being able to efficiently edit the genome of neurons in vivo would enable direct testing of gene function in relevant cell types embedded in native contexts. Consequently, Applicants stereotactically injected a mixture (1:1 ratio) of high titer AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide into the hippocampal dentate gyrus in adult mice. Applicants observed high co-transduction efficiency of both vectors (over 80%) in hippocampal granule cells at 4 weeks after viral injection (FIG. 72b,c ) resulting in genomic modifications of the Mecp2 locus. (FIG. 72d ). Using SURVEYOR nuclease assay Applicants detected ˜13% indel frequency in brain punches obtained from injected brain regions (FIG. 72e ). Similar to Applicants' finding in cultured primary neurons, SpCas9-mediated cutting of the Mecp2 locus efficiently decreased MeCP2 protein levels by over 60% (FIG. 72f ). Additionally the number of MeCP2-positive nuclei in the dentate gyrus decreased by over 75% when injected with AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide compared to AAV-SpCas9 alone (FIG. 72g-h ). These results suggest that SpCas9 can be used to directly perturb specific genes within intact biological contexts.

Targeted genomic perturbations can be coupled with quantitative readouts to provide insights into the biological function of specific genomic elements. To facilitate analysis of AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide transduced cells, Applicants developed a method to purify GFP-KASH labeled nuclei using fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) (FIG. 73a ). Sorted nuclei can be directly used to purify nuclear DNA and RNA for downstream biochemical or sequencing analysis. Using sanger sequencing, Applicants found that 13 out of 14 single GFP-positive nuclei contained an indel mutation at the sgRNA target site.

In addition to genomic DNA sequencing, purified GFP-positive nuclei can also be used for RNAseq analysis to study transcriptional consequences of MeCP2 depletion (FIG. 73b and FIG. 80). To test the effect of Mecp2 knockout on transcription of neurons from the dentate gyrus, Applicants prepared RNAseq libraries using FACS purified GFP⁺ nuclei from animals receiving AAV-SpCas9 as well as either a control sgRNA that has been designed to target bacterial lacZ gene and not the mouse genome, or a Mecp2-targeting sgRNA. All sgRNAs have been optimized to minimize their off-target score (CRISPR Design Tool: tools.genome-engineering.org)². Applicants were able to find differentially expressed genes (FIG. 70b ) between control and Mecp2 sgRNA expressing nuclei (p<0.01). Applicants identified several interesting candidates among genes that were down-regulated in Mecp2 sgRNA expressing nuclei: Hpca, Olfm1, and Ncdn, which have been previously reported to play important roles in learning behaviors²²⁻²⁴; and Cplx2, which has been shown to be involved in synaptic vesicle release and related to neuronal firing rate^(25, 26). These results demonstrate that the combination of SpCas9-mediated genome perturbation and population level RNAseq analysis provides a way to characterize transcriptional regulations in neurons and suggest genes that may be important to specific neuronal functions or disease processes.

SpCas9-mediated in vivo genome editing in the brain can also be coupled with electrophysiological recording to study the effect of genomic perturbation on specific cell types or circuit components. To study the functional effect of MeCP2 depletion on neuronal physiology Applicants stereotactically co-delivered AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide targeting Mecp2 into the superficial layer of the primary visual cortex (V1) of male mice. VI was chosen since the superficial layer cortical excitatory neurons are more accessible to two-photon imaging and two-photon guided targeted recording. Two weeks after SpCas9 delivery, mice were subjected to two-photon guided juxtacellular recordings (FIG. 74) to compare the electrophysiological response of KASH-GFP⁺ neurons and GFP⁻ neighboring neurons in layer 2/3 of mouse V1 (FIG. 72a-c ). Applicants measured neuronal responses to 18 drifting gratings in 20-degree increments and calculated evoked firing rate (FR) and orientation selectivity index (OSI) of cells by vector averaging the response. Both FR and OSI were significantly reduced for excitatory GFP⁺, MeCP2 knockout neurons, compared to neighboring GFP⁻ excitatory neurons (FIG. 73d-e ). In comparison, control sgRNA expression together with SpCas9 did not have any effect on FR and OSI when compared with neighboring uninfected neurons (FIG. 73d-e ). These results show that SpCas9 mediated depletion of MeCP2 in adult V1 cortical neurons alters the visual response properties of excitatory neurons in vivo within two weeks and further demonstrate the versatility of SpCas9 in facilitating targeted gene knockout in the mammalian brain in vivo, for studying genes functions and dissection of neuronal circuits.

One key advantage of the SpCas9 system is its ability to facilitate multiplex genome editing². Introducing stable knockouts of multiple genes in the brain of living animals will have potentially far-reaching applications, such as causal interrogation of multigenic mechanisms in physiological and neuropathological conditions. To test the possibility of multiplex genome editing in the brain Applicants designed a multiplex sgRNA expression vector consisting of three sgRNAs in tandem, along with GFP-KASH for nuclei labeling (FIG. 74a ). Applicants chose sgRNAs targeting the DNA methyltransferases gene family (DNMTs), which consists of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. Dnmt1 and 3a are highly expressed in the adult brain and it was previously shown that DNMT activity alters DNA methylation and both Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 are required for synaptic plasticity and learning and memory formation²⁷. Applicants designed individual sgRNAs against Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 with high modification efficiency. To avoid any potential compensatory effects by Dnmt3b Applicants decided also to additionally target this gene even though it is expressed mainly during neurodevelopment²⁷. Applicants finally selected individual sgRNAs for high simultaneous DNA cleavage for all three targeted genes (FIG. 75b and FIG. 81).

To test the efficacy of multiplex genome editing in vivo, Applicants stereotactically delivered a mixture of high titer AAV-SpCas9 and AAV-SpGuide into the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus of male adult mice. After 4 weeks, hippocampi were dissected and targeted cell nuclei were sorted via FACS. Applicants detected ˜19% (Dnmt3a), 18% (Dnmt1) and 4% (Dnmt3b) indel frequency in the sorted nuclei population using SURVEYOR nuclease assay (FIG. 75c ) and sequencing (FIG. 82). Targeting multiple loci raises the question about the effective rate of multiple-knockouts in individual cells. By using single nuclei sorting combined with targeted sequencing, Applicants quantified simultaneous targeting of multiple DNMT loci in individual neuronal nuclei (FIG. 75d ). Of neuronal nuclei carrying modification in at least one Dnmt locus, more than 70% of nuclei contained indels in both Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 (˜40% contained indels at all 3 loci, and ˜30% at both Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 loci). These results are in agreement with Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 protein depletion levels in the dentate gyrus (FIG. 75e ). Due to the low expression of Dnmt3b in the adult brain, Applicants were not able to detect Dnmt3b protein.

Recent studies with SpCas9 have shown that, although each base within the 20-nt sgRNA sequence contributes to overall specificity, genomic loci that partially match the sgRNA can result in off-target double strand brakes and indel formations^(28, 29). To assess the rate of off-target modifications, Applicants computationally identified a list of highly similar genomic target sites² and quantified the rate of modifications using targeted deep sequencing. Indel analysis of the top predicted off-target loci revealed a 0-1.6% rate of indel formations demonstrating that SpCas9 modification is specific (Table 19). To increase the specificity of SpCas9-mediated genome editing in vivo, future studies may use off-targeting minimization strategies such as double nicking^(30, 31) and truncated sgRNAs²⁸.

Knockdown of Dnmt3a and Dnmt1 have been previous shown to impact hippocampus-dependent memory formation²⁷. Consequently, Applicants performed contextual fear-conditioning behavior tests to investigate the effect of SpCas9-mediated triple knockout (Dnmt3a, Dnmt1 and Dnmt3b) on memory acquisition and consolidation. While Applicants did not observe any differences between control and triple knockout mice in the memory acquisition phase, knockout mice showed impaired memory consolidation when tested under trained context conditions (FIG. 75f ). This effect was abolished when mice were tested in the altered context. Applicants' results demonstrate that CRIPSR-Cas9-mediated knockout of DNMT family members in dentate gyrus neurons is sufficient to probe the function of genes in behavioral tasks.

Together, Applicants' results demonstrate that AAV-mediated in vivo delivery of SpCas9 and sgRNA provides a rapid and powerful technology for achieving precise genomic perturbations within intact neural circuits. Whereas SpCas9 has been broadly used to engineer dividing cells, Applicants demonstrate that SpCas9 can also be used to engineer the genome of postmitotic neurons with high efficiency via NHEJ-mediated indel generation. SpCas9-mediated genomic perturbations can be combined with biochemical, sequencing, electrophysiological, and behavioral analysis to study the function of the targeted genomic element. Applicants demonstrated that SpCas9-mediated targeting of single or multiple genes can recapitulate morphological, electrophysiological, and behavioral phenotypes observed using classical, more time-consuming genetic mouse models. The current study employed the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9, which not only necessitates the use of two AAV vectors but also limits the size of promoter elements can be used to achieve cell type-specific targeting. Given the diversity of Cas9 orthologues, with some being substantially shorter than SpCas9^(2, 32, 33), it should be possible to engineer single AAV vectors expressing both Cas9 and sgRNA, as described herein.

REFERENCES

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Methods

DNA Constructs

For SpCas9 targets selection and generation of single guide RNA (sgRNA), the 20-nt target sequences were selected to precede a 5′-NGG PAM sequence. To minimize off-targeting effects, the CRIPSR design tool was used (tools.genome-engineering.org). sgRNA was PCR amplified using U6 promoter as a template with forward primer: 5′-CGCACGCGTAATTCGAACGCTGACGTCATC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 227) and reverse primer containing the sgRNA with 20-nt DNA target site (Bold).

(SEQ ID NO: 228) 5′-CACACGCGTAAAAAAGCACCGACTCGGTGCCACTTTTTCAAGTTGAT AACGGACTAGCCTTATTTTAACTTGCTATTTCTAGCTCTAAAACNNNNNN NNNNNNNNNNNNNCGGTGTTTCGTCCTTTCCAC-3′.

Control sgRNA sequence was designed to target lacZ gene from E. coli:

target sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 289) TGCGAATACGCCCACGCGATGGG

EGFP-KASF¹ construct was a generous gift from Prof Worman (Columbia University, NYC) and was used as PCR template for cloning the coding cassette into AAV backbone under the human Synapsin promoter (hSyn). Next, U6-Mecp2sgRNA coding sequence was introduced using MluI site. For the multiplex gene targeting strategy, individual sgRNAs were PCR amplified as described above. All three sgRNAs were ligated with PCR amplified hSyn-GFP-KASH-bGHpA cassette (see Figure. 4A) by using the Golden Gate cloning strategy. After PCR amplification, the Golden Gate ligation product containing 3 sgRNAs and hSyn-GFP-KASH-bGl pA was cloned into AAV backbone All obtained constructs were sequenced verified. In order to find the optimal promoter sequence to drive SpCas9 expression in neurons Applicants tested. hSyn1, mouse truncated Mecp2 (pMecp2), and truncated rat Map1b (pMap1b) promoter sequences² (see Supplementary FIG. 1A). Following primers were used to amplify promoter regions.

hSyn_F: (SEQ ID NO: 229) 5′-GTGTCTAGACTGCAGAGGGCCCTG-3′; hSyn_R: (SEQ ID NO: 230) 5′-GTGTCGTGCCTTGAGAGCGCAGTCGAGAA-3′; Mecp2_F (SEQ ID NO: 231) 5′-GAGAAGCTTAGCTGAATGGGGTCCGCCTC-3′; Mecp2_R (SEQ ID NO: 232) 5′-CTCACCGGTGCGCGCAACCGATGCCGGGACC-3′; Map1b-283/-58_F (SEQ ID NO: 233) 5′-GAGAAGCTTGGCGAAATGATTTGCTGCAGATG-3′; Map1b-283/-58_R (SEQ ID NO: 234) 5′-CTCACCGGTGCGCGCGTCGCCTCCCCCTCCGC-3′.

Another truncation of rat map1b promoter was assembled with the following oligos:

(SEQ ID NO: 235) 5′-AGCTTCGCGCCGGGAGGAGGGGGGACGCAGTGGGCGGAGCGGAGACA GCACCTTCGGAGATAATCCTTTCTCCTGCCGCAGAGCAGAGGAGCGGCGG GAGAGGAACACTTCTCCCAGGCTTTAGCAGAGCCGGA-3′ and (SEQ ID NO: 236) 5′-CCGGTCCGGCTCTGCTAAAGCCTGGGAGAAGTGTTCCTCTCCCGCCG CTCCTCTGCTCTGCGGCAGGAGAAAGGATTATCTCCGAAGGTGCTGTCTC CGCTCCGCCCACTGCGTCCCCCCTCCTCCCGGCGCGA-3′.

Short synthetic polyadenylation signal (spA)³ was assembled using following oligos:

(SEQ ID NO: 237) 5′-AATTCAATAAAAGATCTTTATTTTCATTAGATCTGTGTGTTGGTTTT TTGTGTGC-3′ and (SEQ ID NO: 238) 5′-GGCCGCACACAAAAAACCAACACACAGATCTAATGAAAATAAAGATC TTTTATTG-3′.

SpCas9 and its D10A mutant version (dSpCas9) were described previously^(4, 5). Plasmid encoding red fluorescent protein (mCherry) under control of EF1α promoter was used for neuron transfection with Lipofectamine® 2000 (Life Technologies).

Cell Line Cultures and Transfection

Neuro-2a (N2a) cells were grown in DMEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum (BSA). For HEK293FT cells DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was used. Cells were maintained at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine® 2000 or Polyethylenimine (PEI) “MAX” reagent (Polysciences), according to manufacturer's protocols.

Production of Concentrated AAV Vectors

High titer AAV1/2 particles were produced using AAV1 and AAV2 serotype plasmids at equal ratios and pDF6 helper plasmid and purified on heparin affinity column⁶. Titering of viral particles was done by qPCR. High titer AAV1 particles were produced by the UNC Vector Core Services (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Low titer AAV1 particles in DMEM were produced as described previously⁷. Briefly, FIEK293FT cells were transfected with transgene plasmid, pAAV1 serotype plasmid and pDF6 helper plasmid using PEI “MAX” Culture medium was collected after 48 h and filtered through a 0 45 pim PVDF filter (Millipore).

Primary Cortical Neuron Culture

Animals used to obtain neurons for tissue cultures were sacrificed according to the protocol approved by the MIT Committee on Animal Care (MIT CAC). Primary cultures were prepared from embryonic day 16 mouse brains⁸. Embryos of either sex were used. Cells were plated on poly-D-lysine (PDL) coated 24-well plates (BD Biosciences) or laminin/PDL coated coverslips (VWR). Cultures were grown at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ in Neurobasal medium, supplemented with B27, Glutamax (Life Technologies) and penicillin/streptomycin mix.

For AAV transduction, cortical neurons in 500 μl Neurobasal culture medium were incubated at 7 DIV with 300 μl (double infection at 1:1 ratio) AAV1-containing conditioned medium from HEK293FT cells⁷. One week after transduction neurons have been harvested for downstream processing or fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for immunofluorescent stainings or morphology analysis.

For visualization of neuronal morphology, cells at DIV7 were transfected with EF1α-mCherry expression vector using Lipofectamine® 2000 (Life Technologies) for one week as previously described⁹. For measurement of total dendrite length, all dendrites of individual neurons were traced using ImageJ software. Quantification of the number of primary dendrites, dendritic tips and the Sholl analysis¹⁰ were performed on images acquired with fluorescent microscope at a 40× objective (Zeiss AxioCam Ax10 microscope, Axiocam MRm camera). For dendrites number, ends of all non-axonal protrusions longer than 10 μm were counted. For Sholl analysis, concentric circles with 5 μm step in diameter were automatically drawn around the cell body, and the number of dendrites crossing each circle was counted using ImageJ software with a Sholl plug-in.

Stereotactic Injection of AAV1/2 into the Mouse Brain

The MIT CAC approved all animal procedures described here. Adult (12-16 weeks old) male C57BL/6N mice were anaesthetized by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 mg/kg Ketamine and 10 mg/kg Xylazine. Pre-emptive analgesia was given (Buprenex, 1 mg/kg, i.p.). Craniotomy was performed according to approved procedures and 1 μl of 1:1 AAV mixture (1×1013 Vg/ml of sMecp2-SpCas9; 6×1012 Vg/ml of DNMT 3×sgRNA; 3-5×1012 Vg/ml of hSyn-GFP-KASH) was injected into: dorsal dentate gyrus (anterior/posterior: −1.7; mediolateral: 0.6; dorsal/ventral: −2.15) and/or ventral dentate gyrus (anterior/posterior: −3.52; mediolateral: 2.65; dorsal/ventral: −3). For in vivo electrophysiology recordings experiments (FIG. 74) virus injection coordinates were 3 mm lateral (from Bregma) and 1 mm anterior from the posterior suture. The skull was thinned using a dremel drill with occasional cooling with saline, and the remaining dura was punctured using a glass micropipette filled with the virus suspended in mineral oil. Several injections (3-4) were made at neighboring sites, at a depth of 200-250 μm. A volume of 150-200 nl of virus mixture was injected at 75 nl/min rate at each site. After each injection, the pipette was held in place for 3-5 minutes prior to retraction to prevent leakage. The incision was sutured and proper post-operative analgesics (Meloxicam, 1-2 mg/kg) were administered for three days following surgery.

In Vivo Two-Photon Guided Targeted Loose Patch Recordings

Two weeks after virus injection, mice were used for electrophysiology experiments. Mice were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane and maintained using 0.8% isoflurane. The skin was excised, cleaned with sugi and a metal head plate was attached to the skull using glue and dental acrylic, and a 2 mm×2 mm craniotomy was performed over the primary visual cortex (V1). The exposed area was then covered with a thin layer of 1.5% agarose in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF; 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 2 mM CaCl₂), 1 mM MgCl2, 0.01 mM EDTA, 10 mM HEPES, 10 mM glucose; pH 7.4). Animal body temperature was maintained during experiment 37.5° C. with a heating blanket.

Borosilicate pipettes (WPI) were pulled using a Sutter P-2000 laser puller (Sutter Instruments). Tip diameter was around 1 μm while the resistance was between 3-5 MΩ. Recordings were made using custom software (Network Prism, Sur lab), written in Matlab (MathWorks), controlling a MultiClamp 700B amplifier (Axon). A glass pipette electrode was inserted into the brain at an angle of 20-35° and an Ag/AgCl ground electrode pellet (Warner Instruments) was positioned in the same solution as the brain and the objective. For fluorescent visualization, pipettes were filled with Alexa Fluor 594 (Molecular Probes). The pipette was first targeted to the injection site using a 10× lens, and then targeted to individual GFP+ cells using a 25× lens via simultaneous two-photon imaging at 770 nm. Cell proximity was detected through deflections in resistance observed in voltage clamp during a rapidly time-varying 5 mV command voltage pulse. Once resistance had increased by 5-10 M0, the amplifier was switched to current clamp, and spikes were recorded with zero injected current, under a Bessel filter of 4 KHz and an AC filter of 300 Hz. Virus injected brains were perfused post hoc and immunohistochemistry was performed.

Visual Stimulation and Data Analysis from In Vivo Two-Photon Guided Targeted Loose Patch Recordings

To assess the orientation selectivity and tuning of genome-edited neurons, Applicants presented oriented gratings using custom software written in Matlab PsychToolbox-3. Gratings were optimized for cellular responsiveness and were presented by stepping the orientation from 0-360 degrees in steps of 20 degrees, with each grating presentation being preceded for 4 seconds “off” followed by 4 seconds “on”, for a total presentation duration of 144 seconds.

Data was acquired directly into Matlab and saved as .mat files. Spike detection was performed via analysis routines that used manually defined thresholds followed by spike shape template matching for further verification. Every spike was tagged and displayed on screen in a graphical user interface whereupon it was manually reviewed for false positives and negatives by the experimenter. Spike times in response to every stimulus were then grouped into “on” or “off” periods based on their timing relative to visual stimulation, and “on” spikes for each stimulus were decremented by the number of “off” spikes observed during an equal time period. For orientation experiments, # spikes per stimulus=( # spikes “on”) −( # spikes “off”) because “on” and “off” periods were the same duration.

For every cell of interest, the methods were used to collect responses for each oriented stimulus (0 to 360 degrees, in steps of 20 degrees). These responses were then turned into a “tuning curve” of orientation vs. response for each trial. Orientation Selectivity Index (OSI) was computed by taking the vector average for the preferred orientation according to the formulae as follows:

$\mspace{20mu}{{OSI} = \frac{\sqrt{\sum_{s}{\text{?}\left( \text{?} \right){\sin\left( \text{?} \right)}\left( {\text{?}\text{?}\left( \text{?} \right){\cos\left( {2\text{?}} \right)}} \right)}}}{\sum_{i}{\text{?}\left( \text{?} \right)}}}$ ?indicates text missing or illegible when filed

Tissue Preparation and Purification of Cell Nuclei

Total hippocampus or dentate gyrus was quickly dissected in ice cold DPBS (Life Sciences) and shock frozen on dry ice. For cell nuclei purification, tissue was gently homogenized in 2 ml ice-cold homogenization buffer (HB) (320 mM Sucrose, 5 mM CaCl, 3 mM Mg(Ac)₂, 10 mM Tris pH7.8, 0.1 mM EDTA, 0.1% NP40, 0.1 mM PMSF, 1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol) using 2 ml Dounce homogenizer (Sigma); 25 times with pestle A, followed by 25 times with pestle B. Next, 3 ml of HB was added up to 5 ml total and kept on ice for 5 min. For gradient centrifugation, 5 ml of 50% OptiPrep™ density gradient medium (Sigma) containing 5 mM CaCl, 3 mM Mg(Ac)₂, 10 mM Tris pH 7.8, 0.1 mM PMSF, 1 mM beta-mercaptoethanol was added and mixed. The lysate was gently loaded on the top of 10 ml 29% iso-osmolar OptiPrep™ solution in a conical 30 ml centrifuge tube (Beckman Coulter, SW28 rotor). Samples were centrifuged at 10,100×g (7,500 rpm) for 30 min at 4° C. The supernatant was removed and the nuclei pellet was gently resuspended in 65 mM beta-glycerophosphate (pH 7.0), 2 mM MgCl2, 25 mM KCl, 340 mM sucrose and 5% glycerol. Number and quality of purified nuclei was controlled using bright field microscopy.

Cell Nuclei Sorting

Purified GFP-positive (GFP⁻) and negative (GFP⁻) intact nuclei were co-labeled with Vybrant® DyeCycle™ Ruby Stain (1:500, Life Technologies) and sorted using BD FACSAria III (Koch Institute Flow Cytometry Core, MIT). GFP⁺ and GFP⁻ nuclei were collected in 1.5 ml Eppendorf tubes coated with 1% BSA and containing 400 μl of resuspension buffer (65 mM beta-glycerophosphate pH 7.0, 2 mM MgCl2, 25 mM KCl, 340 mM sucrose and 5% glycerol). After sorting, all samples were kept on ice and centrifuged at 10,000×g for 20 min at 4° C. Nuclei pellets were stored at −80° C. or were directly used for downstream processing.

Genomic DNA Extraction and SURVEYOR™ Assay

For functional testing of sgRNA, 50-70% confluent N2a cells were co-transfected with a single PCR amplified sgRNA and SpCas9 vector. Cells transfected with SpCas9 only served as negative control. Cells were harvested 48 h after transfection, and DNA was extracted using DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's protocol. To isolate genomic DNA from AAV1 transduced primary neurons, DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit was used 7 days post AAV transduction, according to the manufacturer's instruction.

Sorted nuclei or dissected tissues were lysed in lysis buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 8.0, 10 mM NaCl, 10 mM EDTA, 0.5 mM SDS, Proteinase K (PK, 1 mg/ml) and RNAse A) at 55° C. for 30 min. Next, chloroform-phenol extraction was performed followed by DNA precipitation with ethanol, according to standard procedures. DNA was finally resuspended in TE Buffer (10 mM Tris pH 8.0, 0.1 mM EDTA) and used for downstream analysis. Functional testing of individual sgRNAs was performed by SURVEYOR™ nuclease assay (Transgenomics) using PCR primers listed in Table 20. Band intensity quantification was performed as described before¹¹.

RNA Library Preparation and Sequencing

Two weeks after bilateral viral delivery of SpCas9 with guide targeting Mecp2 (4 animals) or SpCas9 with gRNA targeting lacZ (4 animals), the dentate gyrus was quickly dissected in ice cold DPBS (Life Sciences) and transferred immediately to RNA-later solution (Ambion). After 24 hours in 4° C. the tissue was moved to −80° C. Populations of 100 targeted neuronal nuclei were FACS sorted into 10 μl TCL buffer supplemented with 1% 2-mercaptoethanol (Qiagen). After centrifuging, samples were frozen immediately at −80° C. The RNA was purified by AMPure RNAcleanXP SPRI beads (Beckman Coulter Genomics) following the manufactures' instructions, and washed three times with 80% ethanol, omitting the final elution. The beads with captured RNA were air-dried and processed immediately for cDNA synthesis. Samples with no nuclei were used as negative controls. Three population samples were used for each animal, total of 24 population sample, in cDNA library preparations following the SMART-seq2 protocol¹² only replacing the reverse transcriptase enzyme with 0.1 ul of Maxima H Minus enzyme (200 U/ul, Thermo Scientific), and scaling down the PCR reaction to a volume of 25 ul. The tagmentation reaction and final PCR amplification were done using the Nextera XT DNA Sample preparation kit (Illumina), with the following modifications. All reaction volumes were scaled down by a factor of 4, and the libraries were pooled after the PCR amplification step by taking 2.5 ul of each sample. The pooled libraries were cleaned and size-selected using two rounds of 0.7 volume of AMPure XP SPRI bead cleanup (Beckman Coulter Genomics). Samples were loaded on a High-Sensitivity DNA chip (Agilent) to check the quality of the library, while quantification was done with Qubit High-Sensitivity DNA kit (Invitrogen). The pooled libraries were diluted to a final concentration of 4 nM and 12 pmol and were sequenced using Illumina Miseq with 75 bp paired end reads.

RNA Libraries Data Analysis

Bowtie2 index was created based on the mouse mm9 UCSC genome and known Gene transcriptome³, and paired-end reads were aligned directly to this index using Bowtie2 with command line options -q --phred33-quals -n 2 -e 99999999 -l 25 -I 1 -X 1000 -a -m 200 -p 4 --chunkmbs 512. Next, RSEM v1.27 was run with default parameters on the alignments created by Bowtie2 to estimate expression levels. RSEM's gene level expression estimates (tau) were multiplied by 1,000,000 to obtain transcript per million (TPM) estimates for each gene, and TPM estimates were transformed to log-space by taking log 2(TPM+1). Genes were considered detected if their transformed expression level equal to or above 2 (in log 2(TPM+1) scale). A library is filtered out if it has less than 8000 genes detected. Based on this criterion, 4 libraries were filtered and excluded from the downstream analysis. To find differentially expressed genes between control animals and Mecp2 sgRNA expressing animals, Student's 1-test (Matlab V2013b) and cross validation was used in 20 random permutation runs, where in each run one library from each animal was randomly chosen to exclude (this results in a total of 12 libraries used in the 1-test each time). The 1-test was run on all genes that have mean expression level above 0.9 quantile (usually around 5 log 2(TPM+1)) for each sample. Then, genes that were significant (p<0.01) in more than one thirds of the permutation runs were chosen. The log 2(TPM+1) expression levels of these genes across samples were clustered using hierarchical clustering (Matlab V2013b).

Immunofluorescent Staining

Cell culture: For immunofluorescent staining of primary neurons, cells were fixed 7 days after viral delivery with 4% paraformaldehyd (PFA) for 20 min at RT. After washing 3 times with PBS, cells were blocked with 5% normal goat serum (NGS) (Life Technologies), 5% donkey serum (DS) (Sigma) and 0.1% Triton-X100 (Sigma) in PBS for 30 min at RT. Cells were incubated with primary antibodies in 2.5% NGS, 2.5% DS and 0.1% Triton-X100 for 1 hour at RT or overnight at 4° C. After washing 3 times with PBST, cells were incubated with secondary antibodies for 1 hour at RT. Finally, coverslips were mounted using VECTASHIELD HardSet Mounting Medium with DAPI (Vector Laboratories) and imaged using an Zeiss AxioCam Ax10 microscope and an Axiocam MRm camera. Images were processed using the Zen 2012 software (Zeiss). Quantifications were performed by using ImageJ software 1.48 h and Neuron detector plugin.

Mice were sacrified 4 weeks after viral delivery by a lethal dose of Ketamine/Xylazine and transcardially perfused with PBS followed by PFA. Fixed tissue was sectioned using vibratome (Leica, VT1000S). Next, 30 sm sections were boiled for 2 min in sodium citrate buffer (10 mM tri-sodium citrate dehydrate, 0.05% Tween20, pH 6.0) and cool down at RT for 20 min. Sections were blocked with 4% normal goat serum (NGS) in TBST (137 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris pH 7.6, 0.2% Tween-20) for 1 hour. Paraffin sections were cut using a microtom (Leica RM2125 RTS) to 8 μm, and stained as described previously¹⁴.

Sections were incubated with primary antibodies diluted in TBST with 4% NGS overnight at 4° C. After 3 washes in TBST, samples were incubated with secondary antibodies. After washing with TBST 3 times, sections were mounted using VECTASHIELD HardSet Mounting Medium with DAPI and visualized with confocal microscope (Zeiss LSM 710, Ax10 ImagerZ2, Zen 2012 Software).

Following primary antibodies were used: rabbit anti-Dnmt3a (Santa Cruz, 1:100); rabbit anti-MeCP2 (Millipore, 1:200); mouse anti-NeuN (Millipore, 1:50-1:400); chicken anti-GFAP (Abcam, 1:400); mouse anti-Map2 (Sigma, 1:500); chicken anti-GFP (Aves labs, 1:200-1:400); mouse anti-HA (Cell Signaling, 1:100). Secondary antibodies: AlexaFluor®488, 568 or 633 (Life Technologies, 1:500-1:1,000).

Quantification of LIVE/DEAD® Assay

Control and transduced primary neurons were stained using the LIVE/DEAD® assay (Life technologies) according to the manufacturer's instruction. To avoid interference with the GFP-signal from GFP-KASH expression, cells were stained for DEAD (ethidium homodimer) and DAPI (all cells) only. Stained cells were imaged using fluorescence microscopy and DEAD, GFP and DAPI positive cells were counted by using ImageJ 1.48 h software and Neuron detector plugin.

Western Blot Analysis

Transduced primary cortical neurons (24 well, 7 days after viral delivery) and transduced tissue samples (4 weeks after viral delivery) were lysed in 50 μL of ice-cold RIPA buffer (Cell Signaling) containing 0.1% SDS and proteases inhibitors (Roche, Sigma). Cell lysates were sonicated for 5 min in a Bioruptor sonicater (Diagenode) and protein concentration was determined using the BCA Protein Assay Kit (Pierce Biotechnology, Inc.). Protein lysats were dissolved in SDS-PAGE sample buffer, separated under reducing conditions on 4-15% Tris-HCl gels (Bio-Rad) and analyzed by Western blotting using primary antibodies: rabbit anti-Dnmt3a (Santa Cruz, 1:500), mouse anti-Dnmt1 (Novus Biologicals, 1:800), rabbit anti-Mecp2 (Millipore, 1:400), rabbit anti-Tubulin (Cell Signaling, 1:10,000) followed by secondary anti-mouse and anti-rabbbit HRP antibodies (Sigma-Aldrich, 1:10,000). GAPDH was directly visualized with rabbit HRP coupled anti-GAPDH antibody (Cell Signaling, 1:10,000). Tubulin or GAPDH served as loading control. Blots were imaged with ChemiDoc™ MP system with ImageLab 4.1 software (BioRad), and quantified using ImageJ software 1.48 h.

Delay Contextual Fear Conditioning (DCFC)

8 weeks after bilateral SpCas9/DNMT 3×sgRNA delivery into the dorsal and ventral dentate gyrus of 12 weeks old C57BL/6N male mice, animals were habituated to the experimentor and the behavior room for 7 days. SpCas9/GFP-KASH injected littermates served as controls. At day 1 of DCFC, mouse cages were placed into an islolated anterroom to prevent mice from auditory cues before and after testing. Indivdual mice were placed into the FC chamber (Med Associates Inc.) and a 12 min habituation period was performed. After habituation the mice were placed back to their homecages. The next day (training day) individual mice were placed into the chamber and were allowed to habituate for 4 min. After another 20 sec (pre-tone) interval, the tone (auditory cue) at a level of 85 dB, 2.8 kHz was presented for 20 sec follwed by 18 sec delay interval before the foot-shock was presented (0.5 mA, 2 sec). After the foot-shock, 40 sec interval (post-tone/shock) preceded a next identical trial starting with the 20 sec pre-tone period. The training trial was repeated 6 times before the mice were placed back to their homecages. At day 3 (testing day), mice were first placed in the conditioning context chamber for 3 min. Next, mice underwent 4×100 sec testing trials starting with a 20 sec interval followed by 20 sec tone and a 60 sec post-tone interval. Finally, mice were placed in an altered context-conditioning chamber (flat floor vs. grid, tetrameric vs. heptameric chamber, vanillin scent) and the testing trial was repeated. Freezing behavior was recorded and analysis was performed blind off-line manually and confirmed with Noldus EthoVision XT software (Noldus Information Technology).

Deep Sequencing Analysis and Indel Detection

CRISPR Design Tool (crispr.mit.edu/) was used to find potential off-targets for DNMT family genes, targeted by CRISPR-SpCas9 in the brain. Targeted cell nuclei from dentate gyrus were FACS sorted 12 weeks after viral delivery and genomic DNA was purified as described above. For each gene of interest, the genomic region flanking the CRISPR target site was amplified by a fusion PCR method to attach the Illumina P5 adapters as well as unique sample-specific barcodes to the target amplicons (for on- and off-target primers see Table 21)¹⁵. Barcoded and purified DNA samples were quantified by Qubit 2 0 Fluorometer (Life Technologies) and pooled in an equimolar ratio. Sequencing libraries were then sequenced with the Illumina MiSeq Personal Sequencer (Life Technologies), with read length 300 bp.

The MiSeq reads were analyzed as described previously in¹⁵. Briefly, reads were filtered by Phred quality (Q score) and aligned using a Smith-Waterman algorithm to the genomic region 50 nucleotides upstream and downstream of the target site Indels were estimated in the aligned region from 5 nucleotides upstream to 5 nucleotides downstream of the target site (a total of 30 bp). Negative controls for each sample were used to estimate the inclusion or exclusion of indels as putative cutting events. Applicants computed a maximum-likelihood estimator (MLE) for the fraction of reads having target-regions with true-indels, using the per-target-region-per-read error rate from the data of the negative control sample. The MLE scores and cutting rates for each target are listed in Table 19.

Statistical Analysis

All experiments were performed with a minimum of two independent biological replicates Statistics were performed with Prism6 (GraphPad) using Student's two tailed t-test.

TABLE 19 Off-target analysis for DNMTs targeting Potential SEQ off-target ID Gene GI sequences MLE (%) SEM NO: Dnmt1 Abcal NM_013454 GGAGCTGGAGCTGTTCACGTTGG 0.0000 0.00 208 Mctp1 NM_030174 CGGGCAGCAGATGTTCGCGTAGG 0.0806 0.08 209 Exd2 NM_133798 AGGGCTTGAGATGTTCGGGCTGG 0.0612 0.06 210 Pik3r6 NM_001004435 CCGGCTGGGGCTGTCCTCGCTAG 0.0000 0.00 211 Sobp NM_175407 CGGGGTGCAGCTGCTCACGCCAG 0.0000 0.00 212 Vac14 NM_146216 CTGGCGGGAGCTGGTCGCGTGAG 0.0083 0.00 213 Dnmt3a Efemp2 NM_021474 TGAGCATGGGCCGCTGGCGGTGG 0.0050 0.01 214 Bmpr1b Nm_001277217 ATGGCATAGGCCGCTGACAGAGG 0.0117 0.01 215 Syce1 NM_001143765 TTGGCATGGTGAGCTGGCGGGGG 0.0067 0.00 216 Atp8b3 NM_026094 TGGGCAGGGGTCTCTGAGGGCAG 0.0067 0.01 217 RdH11 NM_021557 TTGGCATGGGTCTCTTACCAAGG 0.0017 0.00 218 Dnmt3b Hecw2 NM_001001883 ACATGGTTCCAGTGGGTATGTAG 0.0000 0.00 219 Plekhg3 NM_153804 GGAGGTGGGCAGCGGGTATGTAG 0.0954 0.01 220 Cdc25b NM_001111075 AGAAGGTCCCCGCGGGCATGGAG 0.2421 0.12 221 Top1mt NN_028404 GGAGGGAACCAGCCGGTATGGGG 0.0167 0.01 222 Sesn2 NM_144907 AGAGAGTGGCAGTGGGTAAGCAG 0.0000 0.00 223 Ncan NM_007789 AGAGGTGGCCAGCGGGCAGGAAG 0.0017 0.00 224 Nacad NM_001081652 TGAGGGGGCCAGCTGGGATGCAG 1.6254 0.76 225

TABLE 20 PCR primers used in the SURVEYOR assay SEQ SEQ Forward primer ID Reverse primer ID Gene sequence (5′-3′) NO: sequence (5′-3′) NO: Mecp2 GGTCTCATGTGTGGCACTCA 239 TGTCCAACCTTCAGGCAAGG 243 Dnmt3a ATCCCTCCTCAGAGGGTCAGC 240 TACCTCATGCACAGCTAGCACC 244 Dnmt1 TTCGGGCATAGCATGGTCTTCC 241 GTTCTATTTCAGAGGGCTGATCCC 245 Dnmt3b GTTCTGAGCCGCACAGTTTGG 242 GGATAAGAAGGGACAATACAGG 246

TABLE 21 Primers used tor on- and oft-target genomic loci amplification Forward primer SEQ ID Reverse primer SEQ ID Gene sequence (5′-3′) NO: sequence (5′-3′) NO: Dnmt1 GCCGGGGTCTC 247 CTACCGCCTGCGGA 268 GTTCAGAGCT CATGGT Dnmt3a CCTGTCTCTCTGT 248 CCGTTTGCTGATGTAGTA 269 CCTAGGGCTCC GGGGTCC Dnmt3b CCCACAGGAAA 249 CATCCTTCGTGTCT 270 CAATGAAGGGAGAC GAGGACTGGTC Abca1 CCCTGACACCAGC 250 CTCTGGGTGAC 271 TGTTCAGCAC CACACACGATGC Mctp1 GAGCAGGCAGA 251 GGAGAGCGTCC 272 GCCGAGCAAG GCCAGGAG Exd2 GGGTCTTGTTGTG 252 GAAGCTCTCTTAA 273 AGTAGGGTGTG CTACTGTTC Pik3r6 CCTGGAATACTAT 253 CAGGCCCTAGCAGCG 274 TTCCACGCCG AGCAG Sobp GCAGCACACTCCA 254 GGAAGGGGCTTTCC 275 CCCTCACAT TCCGAGC Vac14 CGGCGTCACG 255 GCTCCGACCCTGCT 276 TGACCTGAGTAAC CTCCCA Efemp2 GTGTCTGCCTC 256 CCTGTTCATCAGGCTC 277 GCTCTGCTGC GTAGCCC Bmpr1b CTATCTGAAATCC 257 CGATTGCTGGCTTGC 278 ACCACCTTAGACGC CTTGAG Syce1 GCCTGAGGGGG 258 GGTTCGCGTCCGCC 279 CCAGAGGT CGCGTGAT Atp8b3 GGGACTCC 259 GAGAGGTGGTC 280 CCGGGTGGTG CTGTCGCCTATG Rdh11 GACCCTGTGTTT 260 CCCAGCAGGTCACA 281 CAAGTCTCTCTG GCTGACATC Hecw2 GGCCATCCAGTAC 261 AGCACAGTATGTATTC 282 ATTCAATACG TATAAAATAATACGAC Plekhg3 GCAGAAGCCGT 262 GTGGGAGGGGACAG 283 GACTCACAGCA AGACCATG Cdc25b CTTGTGCTTG 263 CCTTACCTGTTCCTCT 284 TGATTCTGTCCTTACT TCCTTATCCAGC GC Top1mt CGAGAAGTC 264 ATACCCAGTCCAC 285 GATGCAGACACTTCA ATCCCTGCC A Sesn2 GCTGAAGACTGGC 265 CCTCTGCATCTCCCTCAGGA 286 GAGCACAGCT AGTATT Ncan GACCTGAATGTTG 266 GCCTCCTGTC 287 TGGCTGAGAGTCC CCCAGGTCCC Nacad CCCTCACGTTCC 267 CACTAGGCTT 288 TGTCCAGCAA GGGCTGCCCTCT

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Example 40: Further Investigation into Nuclear Tagging Technique

This Example 38 concerns epitope tagging of Cas9. In brief, Applicants found that a triple epitope tag (specifically 3×HA) improves the detection signal.

Materials and Methods

Cell Culture and Transfection

Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell line 293FT (Life Technologies) or mouse Hepa1-6 (Sigma-Aldrich) cell line was maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (HyClone), 2 mM GlutaMAX (Life Technologies), 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ incubation.

Cells were seeded onto 24-well plates (Corning) at a density of 120,000 cells/well, 24 hours prior to transfection. Cells were transfected using Lipofectamine 2000 (Life Technologies) at 80-90% confluency following the manufacturer's recommended protocol. A total of 500 ng Cas9 plasmid and 100 ng of U6-sgRNA PCR product was transfected.

SURVEYOR nuclease assay for genome modification

293FT and HUES62 cells were transfected with DNA as described above. Cells were incubated at 37° C. for 72 hours post-transfection prior to genomic DNA extraction. Genomic DNA was extracted using the QuickExtract DNA Extraction Solution (Epicentre) following the manufacturer's protocol. Briefly, pelleted cells were resuspended in QuickExtract solution and incubated at 65° C. for 15 minutes, 68° C. for 15 minutes, and 98° C. for 10 minutes.

The genomic region flanking the CRISPR target site for each gene was PCR amplified, and products were purified using QiaQuick Spin Column (Qiagen) following the manufacturer's protocol. 400 ng total of the purified PCR products were mixed with 2 microlitres 10X Taq DNA Polymerase PCR buffer (Enzymatics) and ultrapure water to a final volume of 20 microlitres, and subjected to a re-annealing process to enable heteroduplex formation: 95° C. for 10 min, 95° C. to 85° C. ramping at −2° C./s, 85° C. to 25° C. at −0.25° C./s, and 25° C. hold for 1 minute. After re-annealing, products were treated with SURVEYOR nuclease and SURVEYOR enhancer S (Transgenomics) following the manufacturer's recommended protocol, and analyzed on 4-20% Novex TBE poly-acrylamide gels (Life Technologies). Gels were stained with SYBR Gold DNA stain (Life Technologies) for 30 minutes and imaged with a Gel Doc gel imaging system (Bio-rad). Quantification was based on relative band intensities. Indel percentage was determined by the formula, 100×(1−(1−(b+c)/(a +b+c))^(1/2)), where a is the integrated intensity of the undigested PCR product, and b and c are the integrated intensities of each cleavage product.

Western Blot

HEK 293FT cells were transfected and lysed in 1×RIPA buffer (Sigma-Aldrich) supplemented with Protease Inhibitor (Roche). The lysates were loaded onto Bolt 4-12% Bis-Tris Plus Gels (Invitrogen) and transferred to nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes were blocked in Tris-buffered saline containing 0.1% Tween-20 and 5% blocking agent (G-Biosciences). The membranes were probed with rabbit anti-FLAG (1:5,000, Abcam), HRP-conjugated anti-GAPDH (1:5,000 Cell Signaling Technology), and HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit (1:1,000) antibodies and visualized with a Gel Doc XR+ System (Bio-Rad).

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While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention.

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

The claimed invention was made by, on behalf of, and/or in connection with one or more of the following parties to a joint research agreement: the Broad Institute, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and President and Fellows of Harvard College. The joint research agreement was in effect on and before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and the claimed invention was made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of the joint research agreement. 

1-38. (canceled)
 39. A method of modifying a eukaryotic organism in vivo, comprising delivering to the eukaryotic organism one or more adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, wherein the one or more AAV vectors comprise heterologous nucleic acid molecule(s) engineered for expression in at least one eukaryotic cell of the eukaryotic organism, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid molecule(s) encodes a Cas9 and a CRISPR-Cas system RNA, wherein the Cas9 and the CRISPR-Cas system RNA are expressed in the eukaryotic cell and form a CRISPR-Cas complex, wherein the CRISPR-Cas system RNA targets the CRISPR-Cas complex to a target genomic locus in nucleus of the eukaryotic cell.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the CRISPR-Cas system RNA is a chimeric RNA (chiRNA) comprising (a) a guide sequence that hybridizes to a target sequence at the target genomic locus, (b) a tracr mate sequence, and (c) a tracr sequence, wherein (a), (b), and (c) are arranged in a 5′ to 3′ orientation.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the one or more AAV vectors encode two or more CRISPR-Cas system RNAs each targeting a different target genomic locus.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein the one or more AAV vectors further comprise a repair template for homology-directed repair.
 43. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 is a Cas9 ortholog of a genus selected from the group consisting of Corynebacter, Sutterella, Legionella, Treponema, Fihfactor, Eubacterium, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Mycoplasma, Bacteroides, Flaviivola, Flavobacterium, Sphaerochaeta, Azospirillum, Gluconacetobacter, Neisseria, Roseburia, Parvibaculum, Staphylococcus, Nitratifractor, Mycoplasma and Campylobacter.
 44. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 is S. aureus Cas9 or S. pyogenes Cas9.
 45. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 is a nuclease directing cleavage of both DNA strands at the target genomic locus.
 46. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 comprises one or more mutations in a catalytic domain and is a nickase directing cleavage of one DNA strand at the target genomic locus.
 47. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 is linked to at least one nuclear localization signal (NLS).
 48. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 is linked to at least two NLSs.
 49. The method of claim 39, wherein the Cas9 comprises one or more mutations in a catalytic domain and is fused to a heterologous protein domain.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein the heterologous protein domain is a transcriptional activation domain or a transcriptional repression domain.
 51. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV2, AAV3, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8, AAV9, AAV1/2, AAV2/8 or a combination thereof.
 52. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV2, AAV4, AAV5, AAV8, AAV9 or a combination thereof, and wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a neurological or neuronal disease or disorder.
 53. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9 or a combination thereof, and wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a muscular or skeletal disease or disorder, optionally Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
 54. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV9 or a combination thereof, and wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a lung disease or disorder, optionally cystic fibrosis or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAD).
 55. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV5, AAV7, AAV8, AAV2/8, or AAV9 or a combination thereof, wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a liver disease or disorder, optionally glycogen storage disease or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAD).
 56. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV6 or AAV8 or a combination thereof, wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a pancreatic disease or disorder.
 57. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV9 or a combination thereof, wherein the target genomic locus is associated with a epithelial cell disease or disorder.
 58. The method of claim 39, wherein the serotype of the AAV vector is AAV1, AAV2, AAV4, AAV5, or AAV8 or a combination thereof, wherein the target genomic locus is associated with an ocular disease or disorder, optionally Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) or Usher Syndrome. 